Equine Stromal and Endothelial Keratopathies: Medical Management of Stromal Abscesses, Eosinophilic Keratitis, Calcific Band Keratopathy, Striate Band Opacities, and Endotheliitis in the Horse

This review discusses the diagnosis and medical treatment of stromal abscesses, eosinophilic keratitis, calcific band keratopathy, striate band opacities, and endotheliitis. These are common and important stromal and endothelial keratopathies of the horse cornea. Stromal abscesses are associated with infection, leukocytic invasion of the stroma, loss of tissue and tear film proteinase homeostasis, and severe iridocyclitis. Eosinophils infiltrate the epithelium and stroma in response to unknown stimuli in eosinophilic keratitis. Calcium is deposited in the stroma and epithelium secondary to chronic equine recurrent uveitis in calcific band keratopathy. Band opacities may be related to trauma or glaucoma. Endotheliitis is a poorly understood group of diseases characterized by persistent edema.