Editor’s Note: This article is part of TheHorse.com’s ongoing coverage of topics presented at the 2012 American Association of Equine Practitioners’ Focus on Ophthalmology conference, held Sept. 6-8 in Raleigh, N.C.

Most equestrians who have purchased horses are familiar with the concept of a prepurchase examination. Ensuring horses are in sound health prior to signing a check helps instill confidence in new owners about their purchase. One key area of the prepurechase exam is the ocular evaluation, and while not all eye anomalies are detrimental to vision, others can cause sale talks to cease.

At the 2012 American Association of Equine Practitioners’ Focus on Ophthalmology conference, held Sept. 6-8 in Raleigh, N.C., Andrew Matthews, PhD, Dipl. ECEIM, hon Member ACVO, FRCVS, an equine practitioner and ophthalmologist from Ayrshire, Scotland, reviewed the ocular portion of the prepurchase examination