SAEVA Congress 2018 Proceedings | 12-15 February 2018 | ATKV Goudini Spa
damage and swelling. This block is therefore only recommended for enucleation
or exenteration.
After these blocks it may be necessary to protect the cornea from dissection in the
event that the eyelids are not lubricating the cornea sufficiently. Some advocate the
placement of a temporary lateral tarsorraphaphy suture for 24hrs to aid protection of
the eye.
References
1. Bester L Anaesthesia and Analgesia for
Standing Sedation and Surgery, 2017
[personal communication]
2. Gilger, B.C., Equine Corneal Procedures
that can (and should) be done in the
standing horse, Microsoft PowerPoint
presentation, University of North Carolina.
rd
Gilger B.C. Equine Ophthalmology 3
Edition Wiley and Sons, 2017
3.
4.
5.
Vigani, A. & Garcia-Pereira F.L., 2014,
Anesthesia and Analgesia for Standing
Equine Surgery, Vet Clin North Am Equine
Pract 30(1), 1-17.
de Linde Henriksen M, Brooks D. Equine
standing surgical procedures, Vet Clin
North Am Equine Pract. 2014 30(1):91-
110.
Corneal Ulcers:
Johannesburg Animal Eye Hospital
Corneal disease in the horse is a common problem facing a horse owner and the
overseeing veterinarian. Eye disease is considered one of the most common
reasons for a veterinarian to see a horse. Statistics show that about 9-11.5% of all
equine consultations are eye related whilst of ocular diagnoses, 57% were corneal
ulcers. A horse’s eyes are prominently located at the sides of the head and this may
result in the high levels of ocular trauma. Frequently the physical status of the cornea
will have a serious impact on the general status of the eye and frequently alert one to
the presence of intraocular disease.
A corneal ulcer occurs when there is a break in the corneal epithelium. These
lesions are usually easily identified owing to the presenting signs of lacrimation and
blepharospasm. As part of the initial examination one needs to ensure there is no
mechanical reason present for the erosion. Traumatic incidence is probably the most
common cause in horses.
A superficial uncomplicated ulcer is acute in onset. It usually occurs as a result of
a superficial abrasion and loss of the corneal epithelium without involvement of the
deeper stroma. It stains fluorescein positive and generally has no cellular debris,
malacia, stromal defects and less likely to be showing signs of uveitis. In all cases
one should consider the ulcer to be potentially infected with bacteria and if the
ulceration is a result of vegetable matter or where the ulcer persists in spite of long
term antibiotic therapy then one should consider a fungal involvement. It is good
practice to take a corneal culture [fungal and bacterial] of the lesion followed by
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