Equine Ophthalmology
Veterinary Services
Eye injuries and infections can be common in horses. It is important to check all eye injuries to prevent a minor problem from becoming more serious. Horse eye problems can include traumatic injury to the globe, bacterial or viral conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers and foreign bodies in the eye or under the eyelids.
With prompt treatment, most ocular problems can be made completely comfortable within a few days and completely resolved within a week. Our team of equine eye specialists are available around the clock to treat any injuries.
Things to look out for in your horses’ eye:
- Tearing (excess Lacrimation)
- Squinting
- Swelling
- Coloured Discharge
-
Rubbing of the ocular region on
stable door, fence or front legs -
ANY DEGREE of Corneal
Odema/Opacity
If you notice any of these signs in one or both eyes, or anything else unusual around your horses eyes, please call our team of equine ophthalmology specialists immediately on 01306 627706.
Our Vets will usually sedate your horse and complete a small and simple nerve block on the head to allow full visualisation and examination of the eye and the surrounding tissues. Some stains or other diagnostic eye drops may be used as well as an ophthalmoscope which is used to look at the back of the eye.
Occasionally we may need to proceed to more diagnostic procedures including, measuring your horse’s intraocular pressures, ocular ultrasound, corneal sampling for laboratory investigation or digital radiography of the orbit and head. Some of these procedures are performed whilst your horse is sedated and are completely pain-free.
The treatment of eye infections in horses usually involves eye drops or eye ointment which is put into the eye at regular intervals. Some ointments may be an antibiotic, pain relief or otherwise.
In some cases, your horse may not like the eye drops being put in the eye, especially if the eye is still painful before the treatment has begun to work. In such cases, we can discuss other options such as sub-conjunctival treatment deposits, or more commonly a sub-palpebral lavage system (eye catheter). This allows the deposit of the treatment fluid onto the globe from a very small pipe through the eyelid.
To find out more about our ophthalmology services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today. Our team of equine eye specialists can quickly recognise the signs of an infection or other problem, offering specific treatment plans which will keep your horse happy and healthy.
Give us a call on 01306 627 706