Horse eyes are prone to many problems. First off, their location on the side of the head makes them great targets for injury. Additionally, genetic predisposition puts some breeds at more risk of certain diseases. In most cases, we can treat eyes on the farm. TPE is fully equipped to perform exams and treat your horse’s eyes in the event of injury. We also recommend yearly eye exams to monitor for any problems.
We often see problems in the equine eye. Here are a few examples:
- Corneal Ulcer
- Uveitis
- Eyelid lacerations
- Cataracts
- Stromal abscessation
- Foreign bodies
- Squamous cell carcinoma
Eye injuries vary in severity. However, they should always be considered an emergency. In any case, we can perform a full ocular exam. This includes direct or indirect ophthalmoscopy, fluorescein staining, nerve blocks, pupillary dilation, retinal exam, digital exam of the orbit, and a cranial nerve exam. In some instances, more advanced techniques may be necessary such as ultra-sonography (Yes, we can even ultrasound an eyeball!) or the placement of a sub-palpebral lavage system.
