Eye injuries in horses can be alarming, and one of the most common – and painful – issues they face is a corneal ulcer.
By Dr. Andrea
What are corneal ulcers in horses?
Equine corneal ulcers occur when the most superficial layer of the cornea (called the corneal epithelium) becomes disrupted and exposes the underlying layer (called the stroma). This most often happens following a trauma to the eye, such as rubbing due to itching or irritation.
Diagnosing Corneal Ulcers
Clinical signs of corneal ulcers include tearing, squinting, swelling of the upper or lower eyelids, and cloudiness of the eye. If this has ever happened to your horse, you may remember a stain being placed in the eye during their examination.
This stain only adheres to the underneath layers of the cornea and not the corneal epithelium, and therefore, it appears bright green when there is a corneal ulcer present!
Corneal Ulcer Treatment for Horses
Corneal ulcers are treated with topical antibiotics, oral anti-inflammatories, and often, atropine. It is important if you notice any change in your horse’s eye to contact a veterinarian as soon as possible in order to initiate treatment right away.
With early intervention and treatment, simple corneal ulcers should be completely healed within 2 weeks.
