As a result of aggressive research efforts, the underlying causes and factors contributing to recurrent uveitis–a painful and debilitating condition that is the leading cause of blindness in horses–are becoming known.

“Recurrent uveitis is an immune-mediated disease, but the inciting cause of the flare-ups remains unknown,” explained Brian Gilger, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVO, a professor in the department of clinical sciences at North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. “Various theories exist and there is some evidence to suggest that Leptospira organisms initiate uveitis.”

To evaluate the role of intraocular bacteria such as Leptospira in horses with recurrent uveitis residing in the southeastern United States, Gilger and colleagues collected ocular samples from horses diagnosed with recurrent uveitis, normal horses, and horses with ocular inflammation not associated with recurrent uveitis