Uveitis in Horses
Uveitis is the inflammation of the uvea, the blood carrying layer of the eye. The uvea has an anterior (front section) made up by the iris and ciliary body and a posterior section made up from the choroid. We can only see the iris.
What are the clinical signs of uveitis?
Horses with uveitis have a spectrum of clinical signs depending upon how severe the inflammation is. Some symptoms include redness to the whites of the eye, pain, colour changes to the iris, smallish pupil, and sediments inside the eye, cataract formation, enlarged eye and vision loss.
Due to the fact that uveitis involves the blood layer of the eye, anything affecting the blood system i.e infections, cancers or abnormal immune responses, can also damage the eye.
There are numerous causes of uveitis including trauma, corneal disease and immune-mediated disease.
Treatment for uveitis
Anti-inflammatory medications both on the eye and systemically are needed to treat uveitis. Treatment is often used for many weeks after all clinical signs have gone because recurrence is common.
Whilst treatment helps control the reaction, it does not always address the underlying problem.
Complications of uveitis
There are many serious complications of uveitis many of which lead to vision loss. These include:
Key points
Should you have any questions or concerns please contact us on 03 9545 0103.
Uveitis is the inflammation of the uvea, the blood carrying layer of the eye. The uvea has an anterior (front section) made up by the iris and ciliary body and a posterior section made up from the choroid. We can only see the iris.
What are the clinical signs of uveitis?
Horses with uveitis have a spectrum of clinical signs depending upon how severe the inflammation is. Some symptoms include redness to the whites of the eye, pain, colour changes to the iris, smallish pupil, and sediments inside the eye, cataract formation, enlarged eye and vision loss.
Due to the fact that uveitis involves the blood layer of the eye, anything affecting the blood system i.e infections, cancers or abnormal immune responses, can also damage the eye.
There are numerous causes of uveitis including trauma, corneal disease and immune-mediated disease.
Treatment for uveitis
Anti-inflammatory medications both on the eye and systemically are needed to treat uveitis. Treatment is often used for many weeks after all clinical signs have gone because recurrence is common.
Whilst treatment helps control the reaction, it does not always address the underlying problem.
- Short term treatment using topical and systemic anti-inflammatory medications are vital to control the current disease.
- If the uveitis is of a recurring nature than long term medication should be considered including the use of a cyclosporin implant.
Complications of uveitis
There are many serious complications of uveitis many of which lead to vision loss. These include:
- Corneal oedema
- Changes to the iris
- Glaucoma
- Shrinkage of the eye (phthsis bulbi)
- Cataract formation
- Retinal damage/detachment
Key points
- Look for an underlying cause
- Treat both topically and systemically
- Treat for an extended period of time
- Recurrence is common
Should you have any questions or concerns please contact us on 03 9545 0103.
