Signs & symptoms such as tearing, redness, squinting & cloudiness can be indications of a serious eye issue and shouldn’t be ignored. Pain and head shyness may also occur. Eye colour changes, irritation of the eyelids and abnormal eye movements or positions are other common signs. Diagnosis of vision problems include eye examinations including reflexes (menace response), pupil dilation, ophthalmoscopy, use of stains, tonometry test or electroretinogram (EKR). Management of visually impaired horses is important. These horses need to be provided with a safe and environment. Feeding & watering in the same spot and using consistent verbal commands can reduce the horse’s anxiety. Horses will adapt with time and patience to a visual impairment. Prevention of eye conditions include the removal of sharp objects in the horse’s environment, the use of fly masks and providing adequate shelter from the sun.
The Eyelids
Conditions affecting the eyelids include:
Blepharospams (squinting)
Protrusion of the 3 rd eyelid
Puffy eyelids
Blepharitis
Trichiasis
Entropion
Ectropion
Laceration
The Eyeball
Conditions affecting the eyeball include:
Exophthalmos
Enophthalmos
Strabismus
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