PUBLICATION V55
Equine Stromal Corneal Ulcers FAQs
If you have questions about this resource, contact the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Summary
Equine stromal corneal ulcers are deeper and more serious eye injuries involving damage to the corneal stroma beneath the surface layer. Corneal ulcers are diagnosed using fluorescein stain and often cause significant pain, squinting, tearing, and cloudiness. Simple superficial ulcers usually heal within a week, but ulcers that fail to heal may be complicated by infection, indolent ulceration, or ongoing irritation. Infected ulcers can rapidly worsen due to bacteria or fungi that degrade corneal tissue, sometimes leading to “melting” ulcers, uveitis, or rupture of the eye. Treatment requires intensive and frequent antimicrobial therapy, often every 1–2 hours initially, along with pain control, anti‑inflammatories, and protective eye masks. Healing may take 3–12 weeks. Surgery is recommended for severe, deep, or rapidly progressing ulcers to stabilize the eye and preserve vision, while eye removal may be necessary in cases that cannot be saved.
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