Advances in Equine Ophthalmology
Jennifer O. Bryant
November 2, 2012
Treatment and research breakthroughs help to wage the war against equine vision problems.
Treatment and research breakthroughs help to wage the war against equine vision problems.
Most horses adapt well to vision loss but still require special management in a safe environment.
While there are many reasons for a horse to have excessive tear production, it’s a classic sign of equine recurrent uveitis, also known as moon blindness.
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
Cataracts have been found to be heritable in Belgians, Morgans, Thoroughbreds, Rocky Mountain Horses, and Quarter Horses. In other instances, cataracts can develop secondary to trauma or due to chronic inflammation from uveitis (moon blindness).
Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is like an autoimmune response, tending to be a dynamic process with shifts in immune reactivity that cause a waxing and waning of uveitis episodes.
Leptospirosis does affect horses, and it can be the cause of some serious health problems, including abortion in pregnant mares and chronic uveitis (moon blindness).
VIDEO | A horse that underwent a rare endoscopic laser eye procedure is showing normal intraocular pressure (IOP), a key indication that the procedure has brought his
Congenital stationary night blindness causes vision deficits in Appaloosas with certain coat patterns.
Next week, veterinary ophthalmologists at The New Jersey Equine Clinic in Clarksburg, N.J., will perform an endoscopic laser procedure on a horse with glaucoma–one of the first equine uses for a new piece of equipment in the ophthalmologists’
A new website launched by the Montana-based Rolling Dog Ranch Animal Sanctuary examines research on uveitis and blindness in Appaloosa horses.
“Moon blindness” is a chronic, painful eye disease, and it’s the most common cause of blindness in horses. It was so named during the 1600s because people thought recurring attacks were related to phases of the moon. This eye disease might be one o
The Kentucky Horse Council (KHC), a statewide association for all horse owners and enthusiasts, is establishing an All-Breed Advisory Council, to provide a unified voice for the owners of all breeds of horses in Kentucky. The Council
The horse, Lexius (Lexi), a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, had an infection in the vitreous that caused chronic inflammation and uveitis in both eyes. The most likely cause of the infection is the bacteria leptospirosis.
The lessons I learned from this experience are that if an eye infection does not resolve–or look much improved–in a week, then seek an ophthalmologist or at least ask your veterinarian to take samples of the infected area for further study.
Is there any food, treat, or climate that causes moon blindness flare-ups?
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