Corneal dystrophy in Friesian horses may represent a variant of pellucid marginal degeneration.
Abstract: To describe the clinical presentation, treatment, and outcome of a corneal dystrophy in Friesian horses and to analyze affected horses' pedigrees to investigate its heritability. Methods: Nine Friesians with bilateral disease were identified. Methods: Retrospective medical record review was used to identify Friesian horses exhibiting bilateral symmetric corneal lesions. Variables identified from medical records included patient sex and age at diagnosis; location, depth and size of corneal lesions; medical and surgical therapy instituted; and visual outcome. A four-generation pedigree for each included horse was used to construct a combined pedigree. Results: The nine included horses had an average age at diagnosis of the first eye of 10.7 years, with males (8/9) significantly more frequently affected than females (1/9), P = 0.012. Lesions were inferior and averaged 5 mm in diameter. Depth ranged from superficial facets to perforations, which developed in nine of 18 eyes. Eight of nine perforations were surgically repaired, with seven of eight repaired eyes visual at last follow-up. All nine eyes that had not perforated remained visual. All affected horses shared a common ancestor within six generations. Conclusions: This form of corneal dystrophy in Friesian horses, characterized by bilateral symmetric stromal loss, appears to be progressive but responds well to surgical repair, occurs more frequently in males, may have a genetic component in Friesian horses, and may be a variant of pellucid marginal degeneration.
© 2014 American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.
Publication Date: 2014-03-06 PubMed ID: 24602247DOI: 10.1111/vop.12152Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research investigates the clinical presentation, treatment, and heredity of corneal dystrophy in Friesian horses. It suggests that the condition appears to be progressive, predominantly affects males, may be hereditary within this breed, and could be related to pellucid marginal degeneration.
Study Methodology
- The research utilized a retrospective medical record review to identify nine Friesian horses affected by bilateral corneal dystrophy, all of which had a vibrant record of health conditions and treatments applied.
- The data collected comprised patient sex, age at diagnosis, location, depth, and dimensions of corneal lesions, medical and surgical procedures administered, as well as the visual outcome.
- The researchers constructed a merged four-generation pedigree for each horse to examine the genetic factors contributing to the disease.
Results of the Study
- The mean age at diagnosis for the observed horses was 10.7 years. The condition was found to significantly affect male horses (8 out of 9 cases) more than females (1 out of 9 cases).
- The corneal lesions were typically inferior and averaged 5mm in diameter, with depths ranging from superficial facets to full perforations. Notably, nine out of the 18 observed eyes developed perforations.
- Eight out of nine of the perforated eyes received surgical repair, and seven of these surgically repaired eyes remained visual at the last observation. All eyes that hadn’t perforated also remained visual.
- In terms of inheritance, all affected horses were found to share a common ancestor within six generations, hinting at a possible genetic component in this breed.
Conclusions Drawn
- The research concluded that corneal dystrophy in Friesian horses tends to be progressive but responds favorably to surgical intervention.
- It predominantly affects male horses, suggesting that gender may play a significant role in the likelihood of developing the condition.
- The shared ancestry among the affected horses suggests the likelihood of a genetic determinant in the occurrence of this illness within the breed.
- This condition may be a variant of pellucid marginal degeneration, given its clinical characteristics and progression.
Cite This Article
APA
Lassaline-Utter M, Gemensky-Metzler AJ, Scherrer NM, Stoppini R, Latimer CA, MacLaren NE, Myrna KE.
(2014).
Corneal dystrophy in Friesian horses may represent a variant of pellucid marginal degeneration.
Vet Ophthalmol, 17 Suppl 1, 186-194.
https://doi.org/10.1111/vop.12152 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 382 West Street Road, Kennett Square, PA, 19348, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cornea / pathology
- Corneal Dystrophies, Hereditary / diagnosis
- Corneal Dystrophies, Hereditary / pathology
- Corneal Dystrophies, Hereditary / surgery
- Corneal Dystrophies, Hereditary / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / genetics
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Male
- Pedigree
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