Corneal Abscess in the Horse
Corneal Abscess in the Horse
A corneal abscess occurs when bacteria or fungus along with the animal's own white blood cells enter the cornea through an injury. The injury may heal too quickly and seal the bacteria or fungus inside the cornea, creating a pocket of infection.
What's really going on
A horse with a corneal stromal abscess will have a dense white or yellow spot in the cornea representing an accumulation of organisms and/or white cells. The eye may be cloudy and red with varying levels of ocular discomfort, which may manifest as tearing and squinting. A corneal stromal abscess may weaken the cornea to the point of perforation of the eye, with the possibility of subsequent blindness. It is also possible that the abscess may spread to the inside of the eye causing severe intraocular inflammation and infection.
How a specialist helps
Corneal stromal abscesses are treated intensively with medications. The ophthalmologist may remove the corneal epithelium covering the abscess to increase penetration of medication. Medications may need to be continued for several weeks to several months. Surgical intervention is occasionally necessary to remove the organisms and prevent rupture of the eye. These surgeries can utilize a corneal or conjunctival graft to cover the surgical site. While treating, the horse should be kept in a darkened stall with limited exercise, and an Eye Saver Mask can be used to protect the eye.