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Veterinary ophthalmology2021; 25(1); 52-61; doi: 10.1111/vop.12915

Clinical findings associated with blunt ocular trauma in horses: a retrospective analysis.

Abstract: Identify ocular findings associated with blunt ocular trauma to aid in differentiation from other equine ocular diseases. Methods: Retrospective case-control study. Methods: Medical records of horses at the Equine Clinic Munich-Riem, Munich, Germany and Auburn University, College of Veterinary Medicine were reviewed. Age, sex, breed, laterality, and clinical findings on ophthalmic examination, as well as an observed (confirmed) or unobserved (suspected) history of trauma, were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed to identify any correlation between clinical signs and blunt ocular trauma. Fifty-nine clinical signs were evaluated, and their association with blunt ocular trauma and non-traumatic uveitis was determined. The frequency of clinical signs associated with non-traumatic uveitis was also reported. Results: Fifty-five eyes affected with blunt trauma were included. The comparison group consisted of 233 eyes (168 horses) diagnosed with non-traumatic uveitis. The most frequent ocular findings after BOT included cataract (36/55, 65.5%), corneal edema (26/55, 47.2%), decreased intraocular pressure (23/55, 41.8%), aqueous flare (19/55, 34.5%), lens subluxation, luxation, or lens loss (18/55, 32.7%), fibrin in the anterior chamber (18/55, 32.7%), hyphema (16/55, 29.1%), peripapillary depigmentation ("butterfly lesion") (16/55, 29.1%), conjunctival hyperemia (16/55, 29.1%), corneal fibrosis (15/55, 27.3%), corpora nigra avulsion (14/55, 25.5%), blepharospasm (13/55, 23.6%), and iridodialysis (11/55, 20.0%). Conclusions: The characteristic pattern of ocular signs associated with blunt ocular trauma may assist in differentiation from other types of uveitis and may improve interpretation of ocular lesions identified during pre-purchase examinations. This study also represents the first peer-reviewed documented and photographed cases of iridodialysis in the horse.
© 2021 American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.
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Publication Date: 2021-07-02 PubMed ID: 34213057DOI: 10.1111/vop.12915Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research aims to identify the clinical signs related to eye injuries in horses caused by blunt force, to assist in differential diagnosis from other equine eye diseases. A retrospective study was conducted using medical records to correlate specific clinical signs with blunt ocular trauma.

Methodology

  • The study used a case-control model.
  • Medical records were reviewed from horses treated at the Equine Clinic Munich-Riem in Munich, Germany and Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
  • Factors considered included the horse’s age, sex, breed, affected eye, clinical findings from eye examination, and a history of observed or suspected trauma.
  • Statistical analysis was done to identify any correlation between clinical symptoms and blunt ocular trauma.
  • A total of 59 clinical signs were evaluated for any possible relationship with incidents of blunt ocular trauma and non-traumatic uveitis (a type of inflammatory eye disease).
  • The occurrence of clinical signs relating to non-traumatic uveitis was also reported.

Results

  • The samples studied included 55 cases of eyes affected by blunt trauma.
  • The comparison group encompassed 233 eyes taken from 168 horses, all of which had been diagnosed with non-traumatic uveitis.
  • The most common clinical findings after blunt ocular trauma were: cataract (in more than 65% of cases), corneal edema (over 47%), decreased intraocular pressure (almost 42%), aqueous flare (about 35%), lens subluxation, luxation, or lens loss, fibrin in the anterior chamber, hyphema, a particular type of depigmentation around the optic disc often referred to as a “butterfly lesion”, conjunctival hyperemia, corneal fibrosis, corpora nigra avulsion, blepharospasm, and iridodialysis (separation of the iris from its attachment points).

Conclusion

  • The combination of signs associated with blunt ocular trauma may be helpful in differentiating it from other types of uveitis, which can aid in accurate diagnosis and treatment.
  • The study could also enhance understanding of eye lesions identified during pre-purchase examinations.
  • The study notably includes the first peer-reviewed documentation and photographic evidence of cases of iridodialysis, a condition where the iris separates from its attachment site, in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Charnock LN, Keys DA, McMullen RJ. (2021). Clinical findings associated with blunt ocular trauma in horses: a retrospective analysis. Vet Ophthalmol, 25(1), 52-61. https://doi.org/10.1111/vop.12915

Publication

Veterinary ophthalmology
ISSN: 1463-5224
NlmUniqueID: 100887377
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 25
Issue: 1
Pages: 52-61

Researcher Affiliations

Charnock, Lauren N
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA.
Keys, Deborah A
  • Keys Veterinary Medical Statistical Consulting, Athens, Georgia, USA.
McMullen, Richard J
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA.
  • Equine Clinic Munich-Riem, Munich, Germany.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Anterior Chamber
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Corneal Diseases / veterinary
  • Horses
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / diagnosis
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / veterinary

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Esdaile E, Houston K, Till BJ, Sutton RB, Scurrell E, Ling M, Hartley C, Bellone RR. A de novo FBN1 variant likely causes congenital bilateral ectopia lentis in a crossbred horse. Sci Rep 2025 Oct 24;15(1):37238.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-21139-7pubmed: 41136527google scholar: lookup
  2. Allen R, Goodhead AD. A survey of ocular pathology in Warmblood horses in South Africa. Equine Vet J 2025 Jul;57(4):889-897.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14427pubmed: 39535442google scholar: lookup
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