Corneal stromal abscesses in the horse: a review of 24 cases.

This study reviews 24 cases of corneal stromal abscesses in horses. Despite initial treatments with topical antibiotics, most required further medical or surgical intervention. All the horses except for one retained their vision at discharge.

Participants and Initial Symptoms

• The study looked at the medical records of 24 horses diagnosed with corneal stromal abscesses.
• Majority of the horses (20 out of 24) initially presented with symptoms like corneal ulcer, corneal opacity or evidence of ocular pain.

Initial Treatment

• For initial treatment, all the horses were treated with topical antibiotics.
• Besides this, most of the horses had been treated with topical atropine sulphate and systemic flunixin meglumine.

Ophthalmic Examination Findings

• Ophthalmic examinations of the horses revealed focal, yellow-white corneal opacities.
• The examinations also revealed corneal vascularisation and evidence of iridocyclitis, which suggests inflammation of the iris and ciliary body.

Further Treatment

• Among the total, nine of the horses were primarily treated medically as their initial response to topical and systemic medication was rapid.
• The other 15 horses required both medical and surgical treatment. Surgical intervention was required when the corneal rupture seemed imminent, or the iridocyclitis was severe, or the response to intensive medical therapy was minimal.
• The most common surgical procedure performed was a deep keratectomy with a conjunctival pedicle flap.

Outcome and Diagnosis

• In 5 out of 8 cases where initial cytology and cultures were non-diagnostic, intraoperative specimens taken for cytology, culture, and/or histopathology helped achieve an etiological diagnosis.
• Except for one horse that had been enucleated upon presentation because of iris prolapse, all other horses had vision when discharged from treatment.