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Date Posted: 15:54:00 09/07/01 Fri
Author: Cheri
Subject: Friday's horse fact..


Disorders of the Equine Eye

In yesterdays fact, I explored the Equine Eye. On this page you'll find some disorders that can adversely affect the eye and how to prevent or treat them.

Trauma

Trauma to the cornea, the surface of the eye, is a relatively common eye condition in horses.
It can be caused by a number of things, such as a scratch from a tree branch or a small puncture from a foreign object.

The eye will appear irritated, with the lids partially closed. Prompt veterinary care is important as a delay in treatment may mean loss of sight, especially if the cornea is punctured.

In the majority of cases, the sight will not be lost, but often there will be a small scar, appearing as a small bluish-white mark on the surface of the cornea.

Tumor of the Third Eyelid

Occasionally, a tumor will grow on the third eyelid, or nictitating membrane. Seldom malignant, these tumors can invade associated eye tissues.

The tumor must be removed by a veterinarian. Depending on the amount (if any) of invasion, surgical removal is relatively simple. Tumors can, however, recur in some instances.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis, or inflammation of the conjunctiva, is extremely common in horses. It happens frequently when horses are on pasture and pollen or other irritants get into the eye and cause an inflammation. The eye tears up, the lids swell and the exposed conjunctiva may become reddish. If infection sets in, the discharge turn from clear tears to pus, at which point the condition is known as purulent conjunctivitis. Flies attracted to the eye only increase the misery for the horse.
Conjunctivitis can be prevented with good management.

Examine your horse's eyes regularly and if they are dirty they should be cleaned with a piece of cotton soaked in a warm saline solution. After drying the eyes carefully, you can apply an antiseptic oil to the lids.
Be careful, when applying any oils or ointments, to only use one prescribed by your vet and to take care to avoid scratching and damaging the eye.
Use of a fine-meshed fly mask can prevent dust and grit from getting into the eye.

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