Uveitis is a common cause of blindness in horses, but in some ways it remains mysterious. In its recurrent form, it also can be intractable.
There’s no cure for it yet
, but it also need not be a death sentence for a horse.
Can uveitis be cured in horses?
Uveitis is a common cause of blindness in horses, but in some ways it remains mysterious. In its recurrent form, it also can be intractable.
There’s no cure for it yet
, but it also need not be a death sentence for a horse.
How is recurrent uveitis treated?
Most cases of uveitis can be treated with
steroid medicine
. A medicine called prednisolone is usually used. Steroids work by disrupting the normal function of the immune system so it no longer releases the chemicals that cause inflammation.
Is equine recurrent uveitis contagious?
Equine recurrent
uveitis is not considered contagious
, meaning that it cannot be spread from one horse to another. The underlying cause for ERU is controversial and has been debated for decades. Historically, exposure to a bacterium called Leptospira has been implicated as an infectious cause.
What is the common name for equine recurrent or persistent uveitis?
Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU), also known as
moon blindness
, is the most common cause of blindness in horses worldwide.
How common is uveitis in horses?
Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is an important and common condition of the equine eye, with a
reported prevalence of 2%–25% worldwide
. The classic form of ERU is characterised by episodes of active intraocular inflammation (inflammation within the eye) followed by quiescent periods of a variable length.
Does uveitis ever go away?
Anterior uveitis will typically go away within a few days with treatment
. Uveitis that affects the back of the eye, or posterior uveitis, typically heals more slowly than uveitis that affects the front of the eye. Relapses are common.
Why does my uveitis keep coming back?
Possible causes of uveitis are infection, injury, or an autoimmune or inflammatory disease. Many times a cause can’t be identified. Uveitis can be serious, leading
to permanent vision loss
. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent complications and preserve your vision.
Can uveitis cause permanent damage?
Uveitis can
cause permanent damage to the eyes and vision loss that cannot be reversed
. Also, uveitis may be caused by another disease or condition that, if left untreated, can lead to serious illness.
Is uveitis an autoimmune disease?
Uveitis is
an autoimmune disease of the eye
that refers to any of a number of intraocular inflammatory conditions. Because it is a rare disease, uveitis is often overlooked, and the possible associations between uveitis and extra-ocular disease manifestations are not well known.
Does sunlight affect uveitis?
It may sound like a condition caused by the sun’s UV rays, but uveitis (yoo-vee-eye-tis) is actually
an inflammation or swelling of the eye’s uvea
. The uvea is located in the center of the eye, between the sclera and the retina, and is responsible for supplying blood to the retina.
What is the most common ophthalmic disease in horses?
Cataracts
are opacities of the lens and are the most frequent congenital ocular defect in foals. Horses manifest varying degrees of blindness as cataracts mature.
What causes a horse’s eye to be cloudy?
Excessive hydration of the cornea
—due to any process that causes corneal edema—results in an opaque, cloudy cornea. A bluish color to the eye almost always means corneal edema, accordingly. Corneal edema can occur subsequent to conditions such as uveitis, glaucoma or endothelial dystrophy, to name a few.
How do you know if your horse has uveitis?
Signs of uveitis:
Redness and swelling of the eye
.
Tearing
.
Squinting or sensitivity to light
.
Cloudiness or blue-ish haze to the cornea
.
What filarial parasite of horses causes periodic ophthalmia?
Causes of Periodic Ophthalmia in Horses
The most common cause, however, is a bacterial infection,
leptospirosis
, that enters through the mucus membranes of the eye. The bacteria pass to your horse through contact with the infected animal’s urine.
Why do they call it moon blindness?
“Moon blindness” is a chronic, painful eye disease, and it’s the most common cause of blindness in horses. It was so named during
the 1600s because people thought recurring attacks were related to phases of the moon
. This eye disease might be one of the first veterinary diseases ever documented.
