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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Ophthalmol / Infracyanine Green-Based Photodynamic Therapy for Immune-Med...
Veterinary ophthalmology2025; doi: 10.1111/vop.70027

Infracyanine Green-Based Photodynamic Therapy for Immune-Mediated Keratitis in Horses.

Abstract: To describe infracyanine green-based photodynamic therapy (InfraCG-PDT) and evaluate outcomes in horses with immune-mediated keratitis (IMMK). Methods: Medical records from 2014 to 2020 from the Equine Clinic Munich-Riem, Germany, and Auburn University Equine Ophthalmology Service identified horses diagnosed with IMMK following ophthalmic examination that had undergone InfraCG-PDT. Methods: Multiple intrastromal injections of EmunDo (InfraCG, A.R.C. Laser, Nuernberg, Germany) within an affected quadrant or the entire cornea were treated with diffuse diode laser energy (FOX A.R.C., Laser, Nuernberg, Germany, 500 mW at 30s cycles) irradiation between 75 J (J, quadrant) and 300 J (entire cornea). Results: Fifty-one eyes (22 OS, 19 OD, 10 OU) from 47 horses were included (22 geldings, 20 mares, and 5 stallions) from 15 breeds aged between 4 and 29 years (median 14 years). Individual quadrants (28/51 eyes, 54.9%) or the entire cornea (23/51 eyes, 45.1%) were treated. Complications were defined as immediate: intrastromal fracture (4/51 eyes, 7.8%), intracameral InfraCG (7/51 eyes, 13.7%), and an epithelial blister (1/51 eyes, 1.9%) or short term: prolonged dye retention (51/51 eyes, 100%, with gradual reduction over a 12-week period) and superficial corneal ulceration (15/51 eyes, 29.4%). Globe threatening ulcers (3/51 eyes, 5.9%) resolved without significant complications. IMMK remained inactive (controlled or managed with improvement in ocular lesions) in 31/40 horses (77.5%) during follow-up (mean 223.0 ± 269.3 days; range 14-1095 days), 4/40 horses (10.0%) required additional treatment, and 5/40 horses (12.5%) were lost to follow-up. Conclusions: InfraCG-PDT may be an effective treatment for horses with IMMK. Further studies are needed to optimize this treatment modality.
© 2025 American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.
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Publication Date: 2025-05-05 PubMed ID: 40322843DOI: 10.1111/vop.70027Google 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 explored the use of a treatment known as infracyanine green-based photodynamic therapy (InfraCG-PDT) on horses suffering from immune-mediated keratitis (IMMK). Based on careful study and follow-up of 47 horses, the treatment showed promising effectiveness, although further studies are needed for optimization.

Methodology

  • The research analyzed medical records from the Equine Clinic Munich-Riem and Auburn University Equine Ophthalmology Service spanning six years, from 2014 to 2020. The researchers homed in on horses diagnosed with IMMK that had been treated using InfraCG-PDT.
  • The treatment procedure involved administering multiple intrastromal injections of EmunDo (InfraCG) into the affected cornea quadrant and then irradiating it with diffuse diode laser energy. The amount of energy applied varied between 75J (for a quadrant) and 300J (for the entire cornea).

Results

  • The sample size comprised 51 eyes from 47 horses of 15 different breeds, aged between 4 and 29 years old. The breakdown included both individual cornea quadrants (54.9% of the eyes treated) and entire corneas (45.1% of the treatments).
  • Some complications arose in the immediate aftermath of the treatment: intrastromal fracture in 7.8% of the cases, intracameral InfraCG in 13.7%, and an epithelial blister in 1.9%. Furthermore, short-term complications such as prolonged dye retention (occurring in all the eyes treated) and superficial corneal ulceration (in 29.4% of the cases) were observed. Severe instances of globe-threatening ulcers (in 5.9% of the cases) were resolved without significant complications.
  • The outcome of the treatment was largely successful, with IMMK staying inactive or showing improvement in ocular lesions in 77.5% of the horses during the follow-up period. It is worth noting, however, that 10% of the horses needed additional treatment, and 12.5% were lost to follow-up.

Conclusion

  • The report concludes by underlining the potential effectiveness of InfraCG-PDT for treating IMMK in horses. Still, it also acknowledges the need for further studies aimed at optimizing this treatment modality.

Cite This Article

APA
Lam KP, Keys DA, McMullen RJ. (2025). Infracyanine Green-Based Photodynamic Therapy for Immune-Mediated Keratitis in Horses. Vet Ophthalmol. https://doi.org/10.1111/vop.70027

Publication

Veterinary ophthalmology
ISSN: 1463-5224
NlmUniqueID: 100887377
Country: England
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Lam, Kimberly P
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA.
Keys, Deborah A
  • Kaleidoscope Statistics LLC, Athens, Georgia, USA.
McMullen, Richard J
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA.
  • Equine Clinic Munich-Riem, Munich, Germany.
  • Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

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