Uveitis is an increasingly common ocular pathology in horses. It is characterized by a particularly painful internal inflammation of the eye, which in many cases recurs. Although there are treatments available, the main difficulty lies in avoiding after-effects and relapses. It is the leading cause of blindness in horses.
Uveitis, an inflammation of the uvea
The symptoms of uveitis vary according to the intensity of the inflammatory crisis, its stage of evolution and its location in the eye. In most cases, however, the main symptom of uveitis is pain manifested by the horse's closed eye, which is highly sensitive to light.
Leptospirosis, a major cause of recurrent uveitis in horses
This disease, which can affect horses with no clinical signs or sometimes just a fever, is an infection caused by bacteria. With each successive attack, hence the name "recurrent uveitis", a definitive change in iris color is observed, as well as more or less diffuse cataracts, deformed pupils and changes in the size of the eyeball. It should be noted that with each new attack of uveitis, in addition to the pain, the inflammation worsens the condition of the animal's eye, leading to numerous after-effects. Lyme disease is also often the cause of recurrent equine uveitis.
You think your horse is suffering from uveitis
Uveitis is a worrying disease that should not be taken lightly. Apart from the loss or reduction of vision, it is often the management of pain that becomes complicated over the long term, and can be a real nightmare for the owner. Some horses are genetically predisposed, notably Appaloosas. Age is not a discriminating factor. Most of the time, the horse will receive only symptomatic treatment, based on eye drops, to relieve pain, reduce inflammation and try to limit after-effects. As far as possible, the horse should remain in the dark or away from light. Whether your horse is the victim of an isolated attack or a recurrence, our products have been designed to help you manage this problem and protect your horse's eyes as effectively as possible. They enable your horse to continue living normally, both at work and at rest, while being protected from the elements and light. Their field of vision is preserved. If in doubt, consult your veterinarian. The earlier you intervene, the less difficult the crisis will be to manage.
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Medicinal and surgical treatment of uveitis in horses