Equine Pathology Workbook

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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