Corneal sensitivity and tear production in 108 horses with ocular disease.
Abstract: To compare corneal sensitivity and tear production in horses with keratitis to horses with other ocular disease. Methods: Retrospective medical record review was used to identify equine patients presented during a 1-year period for an ocular complaint who had Schirmer Tear Test (STT) or Corneal Touch Threshold (CTT) measured. Variables studied included patient age and sex; affected eye; category of presenting ocular complaint (keratitis vs. other ocular complaint); STT; and CTT. Patients with a complaint of ulcerative keratitis, immune-mediated keratitis, and stromal abscess were categorized in the keratitis group. Patients with a complaint of uveitis, as well as lid, lens, or retinal disease, were categorized in the group having other ocular disease. For patients presenting more than once in 2013, only the first visit at which STT or CTT was measured was included. For patients with bilateral disease, STT and CTT of both eyes were averaged. Results: A total of 108 patients were included, 45 with keratitis and 63 with other ocular disease. Average age was 13.65 years, with more males (77) than females (31). Adjusted for age, STT in affected eyes did not differ significantly between the two groups (keratitis = 29.92 mm/min; other ocular disease = 27.96 mm/min), but CTT was significantly lower in patients with keratitis (33.78 mm) than in patients with other ocular disease (40.10 mm). Conclusions: Corneal sensitivity may be decreased in patients with keratitis. It is not known whether this is a cause or an effect of corneal disease.
© 2017 American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.
Publication Date: 2017-06-09 PubMed ID: 28597994DOI: 10.1111/vop.12481Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
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 article is about a comparative study on corneal sensitivity and tear production in horses that have keratitis in contrast to horses with other ocular diseases.
Methodology of the Study
- Medical records of horse patients presented within a year were retrospectively reviewed.
- The records had to include measurements of the Schirmer Tear Test (STT) or Corneal Touch Threshold (CTT) in order for the patients to be included in the study.
- Several variables were taken into consideration in this research including the patient’s age and sex, the affected eye, and the category of the presenting ocular complaint. Specifically, it was either keratitis or another kind of ocular ailment.
- The keratitis group consisted of patients with complaints of ulcerative keratitis, immune-mediated keratitis, or stromal abscess.
- The group of other ocular diseases included patients diagnosed with uveitis, lid ailments, lens, or retinal conditions.
- For cases that presented more than once within the year, only the initial visit having STT or CTT measured was included in the study.
- Bilateral disease cases had an average of STT and CTT of both eyes.
Results of the Research
- A total of 108 patients comprised the study with 45 having keratitis and 63 having other ocular diseases.
- The average age was 13.65 years and most of the patients were males (77 out of 108).
- When adjusted for age, there was no significant distinction in STT in the affected eyes across the two groups.
- However, CTT results were significantly lower in keratitis patients than in those with other ocular diseases.
Conclusion of the Article
- The study surmises that corneal sensitivity might decrease in patients enduring keratitis.
- Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether this is an effect or a cause of the corneal disease.
Cite This Article
APA
Knickelbein KE, Scherrer NM, Lassaline M.
(2017).
Corneal sensitivity and tear production in 108 horses with ocular disease.
Vet Ophthalmol, 21(1), 76-81.
https://doi.org/10.1111/vop.12481 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
- New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA, USA.
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cornea / physiopathology
- Corneal Ulcer / physiopathology
- Corneal Ulcer / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horses
- Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / physiopathology
- Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / veterinary
- Male
- Retrospective Studies
- Tears / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Chahory S, Maringue C, Huiban P, Desquilbet L. Age-Related Variations of Corneal Sensitivity in Puppies Beagle Dogs. Vet Ophthalmol 2026 Jan;29(1):e70006.
- Lores M, Rakestraw P, De Rijck M, Yarbrough T. Use of autologous fascia lata graft to repair a complex corneal ulcer in a mare. Ir Vet J 2020;73:7.
- Telle MR, Chen N, Shinsako D, Kiland JA, Oikawa K, Møller Trane R, McLellan GJ. Relationship between corneal sensitivity, corneal thickness, corneal diameter, and intraocular pressure in normal cats and cats with congenital glaucoma. Vet Ophthalmol 2019 Jan;22(1):4-12.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
