![]() The knowledge of the causal agent will help you to take preventive measures. There are a number of causes of uveitis in horses. Adequate care and protection are necessary to prevent disease conditions. Though uveitis is very uncommon, it is the main cause of blindness in horses. Pupillary dilation protects the visual axis from occlusion and may minimize synechiae development. Topically applied anticholinergics, such as 1-2% atropine, may be useful in stabilizing the blood-aqueous barrier through pupillary dilatation effect. In the horse, as in other species, iridocyclitis is a usual and expected sequel to ulcerative keratitis. Atropine is the mydriatic/cycloplegic of choice. Dexamethasone may be used at a dose up to 20mg/500 kg twice daily. A systemic corticosteroid may also be beneficial. Subconjunctival corticosteroids are useful to supplement topical therapy. In the absence of corneal ulcers, topical corticosteroids are extremely useful. Initial therapy should be aggressive and reduced as clinical signs subside. Uveitis should be treated with anti-inflammatory agents and mydriatics/cycloplegics for symptomatic therapy. Tests for a specific causal agent such as conjunctival biopsies for onchocerciasis and serology for viral or bacterial agents must be interpreted with care or positive serology titers. Systemic involvement includes physical examination, CBC, and serum chemistry panel. Fluorescein should be applied to the cornea to rule out ulceration. Chorioretinal scaring is also seen, and the typical butterfly lesion of depigmentation and atrophy medial and lateral to the optic disc is generally considered a sign of equine recurrent uveitis.Īlthough a morphologic diagnosis of uveitis may be easy to make based on clinical signs, it is often difficult to ascertain the causes. The vitreous may appear cloudy due to inflammatory cells and proteins.Įquine recurrent uveitis includes cataracts, which may be focal or generalized, lens luxation, and persistent corneal edema. ![]() Posterior uveitis may be manifested as chorioretinitis, often seen as cellular infiltration or edema adjacent to the optic nerve. ![]() Most cases of uveitis will show some degree of conjunctival hyperemia. Low-grade uveitis may show only ocular hypotony and aqueous flare. Decreased vision may or may not be evident. What are the Clinical Signs of Uveitis in Horses?Īctive uveitis may show signs of ocular pain, such as blepharospasm, photophobia, epiphora, and depression. In the case of ocular trauma or endotoxemia or septicemia, the uveitis may be due to breakdown of the blood-eye barriers without a specific ocular immune response occurring. Many causes have been implicated in acute cases, including Bacteria ( Leptospira spp, Brucella spp, Streptococcus equi), viruses ( Parainfluenza-3, influenza, Equine viral arteritis), fungi ( Chlamydia, Mycoplasma), Parasites ( Oncocerca cervicalis, Microfilerai, Strongylus, Toxoplasma gondi), hypersensitivity reactions, phacoanaphylaxis, endotoxemia or neoplasia. Therefore, local derangement in immunoregulation may be a determining factor in the development of equine recurrent uveitis. In horses subjected to recurrent uveitis, the uveal response may be exaggerated or maybe lacking in the suppression of T cells. Uveitis may be acute or frequently recurrent. Uveitis in horses or intraocular inflammation is a leading cause of blindness in horses.
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