Equine uveitis in the UK: a retrospective study (2008-2018).

This research paper explores the prevalence of uveitis, an eye disease, in horses in the UK, between 2008 and 2018. It reveals that while uveitis is relatively less common in the UK compared to other parts of the world, certain breeds are more prone to the disease, and it can often recur, affecting both eyes.

Research Objectives and Methodology

• The research aimed to shed light on the characteristics of uveitis in horses in the UK by examining cases treated at a referral hospital in the Northwest of England over a 10-year period.
• It endeavored to describe both acute and recurrent instances of uveitis and compare the disease’s signalment (the description of the animal and its circumstances) with the general population of the hospital.
• For the study, the medical records of horses presented with symptoms of uveitis at the University of Liverpool’s referral Equine Hospital were examined and pertinent clinical details extracted.

Key Findings

• Over the decade-long review, 70 horses were identified as having uveitis, distributed almost equally between acute and recurrent cases.
• More recurrent cases recorded bilateral (affecting both eyes) uveitis than acute ones. Sixteen horses out of the total were reported as having bilateral uveitis.
• There were no noticeable differences found in the age or sex of horses between the acute and recurrent cases, and also between the cases and the general population of the hospital.
• Among the horse breeds, Warmbloods and Appaloosas were found to be over-represented with uveitis compared to the general hospital population.
• Out of the 70, 21 horses (30%) had to undergo surgical interventions for uveitis control and 14 (20%) underwent enucleation, which is the removal of the eye.

Conclusions

• The findings indicate that while uveitis is not pervasive in the UK, it can still afflict horses from a relatively young age.
• Interestingly, Warmbloods and Appaloosas seem to be more susceptible to uveitis than other breeds.
• The researchers also conclude that uveitis is more likely to affect both eyes in recurring instances of the disease.