Summary

Common eye problems in horses, emphasizing early recognition and prompt veterinary care. Typical signs of ocular issues include squinting, excessive tearing, cloudiness, redness, swelling, or visible irregularities on the eye surface, all indicating pain. Any eye abnormality warrants immediate veterinary evaluation, as equine eye diseases can progress rapidly and potentially cause vision loss. During an ophthalmic exam, veterinarians often sedate the horse, use numbing agents, apply fluorescein stain to detect corneal ulcers, and may measure eye pressure or examine the retina. Treatment depends on diagnosis and may involve topical antibiotics, antifungals, atropine for pain relief, steroids in select cases, or anti-inflammatory drugs. Common conditions discussed include corneal ulcers (often trauma-related and painful), uveitis (including recurrent forms like ERU), and fungal keratitis, which requires aggressive treatment.