Can the region in which a horse lives and his surroundings put him at greater risk for developing deep stromal abscesses (DSA)? According to recent study results, they can indeed.

Deep stromal abscesses are fungal infections in the deepest part of the eye’s cornea. The serious condition can cause severe eye pain and threaten a horse’s vision.

Dennis E. Brooks, DVM, PhD, Dip ACVO, a professor of ophthalmology at the University of Florida, and colleagues recently completed a study in hopes of identifying environmental risk factors associated with diagnosis of DSA.

The team found that horses living in north central Florida and other geographic areas with a similar subtropical climate appear to be at greater risk for developing DSA than horses living in other climates