Ophthalmic Emergency

This article discusses the etiology, clinical signs, diagnosis, and treatment as well as the prognosis of some of the more common ophthalmic emergencies in horses. Common ocular emergencies in horses include: lid laceration, corneal ulceration and laceration, corneal stromal abscess, and sudden blindness. Concern for the patient’s vision and ocular comfort should guide the practitioner’s diagnostic and therapeutic plan. Delay in treating true emergencies may result in blindness or in loss of the eye. In horses, most acutely painful eyes are affected by corneal disease, especially ulcerative keratitis. Therefore, fluorescein staining is one of the most important parts of the diagnostic workup. Ocular emergencies in horses require immediate veterinary care because the prognosis for the eye and for vision may depend on it. Proper diagnosis, adequate therapy, and timely referral, if necessary, are important when trying to save globe and vision.