“Eye” wasn’t aware of that….
Nathan Voris, DVM                                                                                                                                printer friendly PDF format

Did you know that the horse has the largest eye of any land animal? This fact, along with the eye’s prominent location-on the side of the face, at the widest part of the head-makes it prone to injury and infection.

A frequent question asked by horse owners when an eye problem is first noticed is “do I need to have my vet take a look at my horse’s eye?” The answer to that question is almost always “Yes” due to the aggressive nature of many ocular diseases. Your veterinarian should examine the eye if your horse is unable to comfortably hold the eye open completely, there is any discoloration of the eye, swelling is noticed around the eye, or if there is increased tearing from the eye. These signs are non-specific indications of ocular pain that need to be carefully investigated through ophthalmic examination and special staining to determine the origin of the discomfort. Glaucoma, uveitis, conjunctivitis and corneal ulceration can all cause these signs, and all are treated differently. In fact, medications used to treat uveitis or conjunctivitis should be avoided in the presence of a corneal ulcer as they will increase the risk of infection and delay healing.

If you notice that your horse is showing any indication of discomfort around the eye, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Many ocular problems can quickly cause irreversible damage or even loss of the eye in a very short amount of time if not correctly addressed.

 

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