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Veterinary ophthalmology2021; 25(3); 194-208; doi: 10.1111/vop.12961

Ocular abnormalities in the Icelandic horse with a focus on equine recurrent uveitis: 112 Icelandic horses living in Denmark and 26 Icelandic horses living in the United States.

Abstract: To describe the most common ocular abnormalities in the Icelandic horse with focus on equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) and association between ocular abnormalities and summer eczema and coat colors. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study. A complete physical and ophthalmic examination as well as measurement of serum titers for Leptospira serovariants was performed on Icelandic horses from Denmark (DK) and the United States (USA). Results: One hundred and twelve Icelandic horses living in DK and 26 Icelandic horses living in the United States were included in this study (total of 138 horses, 274 eyes). The three most common ocular abnormalities were follicular conjunctivitis (55.8%, 153/274 eyes), cataracts (27.4%, 75/274 eyes), and multifocal chorioretinopathy ("bullet holes"; 19%, 52/274 eyes). The prevalence for ERU among Icelandic horses aged "eight years and older" was 8% (6/75 horses). The "insidious ERU" type was found in 83% of the ERU cohort (5/6 horses), while "classic ERU" was found in 17% (1/6 horses). A correlation between ERU and cataracts was found in the population (p < .01). Leptospiral serology results were not associated with ERU in either DK or US-Icelandic horses (p = 1.00, p = 1.00, respectively). ERU was not associated with summer eczema (p = .49), and no coat colors were associated with the ocular abnormalities found in the Icelandic horse (all p-values > .05). Conclusions: Follicular conjunctivitis, cataracts, and multifocal chorioretinopathy were the three most common ocular abnormalities findings. Icelandic horses who were 8 years or older had an 8% prevalence for ERU. Summer eczema and coat color were not associated with evidence of ERU or other ocular abnormalities.
© 2021 American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.
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Publication Date: 2021-12-10 PubMed ID: 34890112DOI: 10.1111/vop.12961Google 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.

The research conducted aimed to identify the most common eye abnormalities in Icelandic horses, with a particular focus on equine recurrent uveitis (ERU). The study found that the most common ocular issues Icelandic horses face are follicular conjunctivitis, cataracts, and multifocal chorioretinopathy, with a small proportion of the horses over 8 years diagnosed with ERU.

Methodology

  • The research used a descriptive cross-sectional study design to explore the prevalence of ocular abnormalities in Icelandic horses.
  • Both physical and ophthalmic examinations were conducted, along with measuring serum titers for Leptospira serovariants.
  • The sample of horses studied came from two countries – Denmark and the United States. The total sample size was 138 horses; 112 from Denmark and 26 from the United States.

Findings

  • The research found three common ocular abnormalities prevalent in the horse sample: follicular conjunctivitis (55.8% of eyes tested), cataracts (27.4% of eyes tested), and multifocal chorioretinopathy (19% of the eyes tested).
  • ERU was found in 8% of the horses aged 8 years and older.
  • Of the ERU cohort, 83% were diagnosed with “insidious ERU” while 17% were diagnosed with the “classic ERU.”
  • A statistical correlation was found between the presence of ERU and cataracts (p < .01), suggesting a link between the two conditions.

Leptospiral Serology and Other Factors

  • Despite conducting Leptospiral serology tests, no associations were found between ERU and the results in either Danish or American Icelandic horses.
  • Furthremore, the study also showed that ERU was not associated with summer eczema, a common skin condition in horses.
  • No association was found between coat colors of the horses and the presence of ocular abnormalities.

Conclusion

  • The key findings from the study highlighted follicular conjunctivitis, cataracts, and multifocal chorioretinopathy as the most common ocular abnormalities in Icelandic horses.
  • The prevalence of ERU in horses aged 8 years or older was 8%.
  • Interestingly, the study did not find any relationship between ERU or other ocular abnormalities and factors like coat color and summer eczema.

Cite This Article

APA
Henriksen ML, Dwyer AE, Krarup Nielsen R, Bäcklund S, Dahlmann Christensen N, Holberg Pihl T. (2021). Ocular abnormalities in the Icelandic horse with a focus on equine recurrent uveitis: 112 Icelandic horses living in Denmark and 26 Icelandic horses living in the United States. Vet Ophthalmol, 25(3), 194-208. https://doi.org/10.1111/vop.12961

Publication

Veterinary ophthalmology
ISSN: 1463-5224
NlmUniqueID: 100887377
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 25
Issue: 3
Pages: 194-208

Researcher Affiliations

Henriksen, Michala de Linde
  • Comparative Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
Dwyer, Ann E
  • Genesee Valley Equine Clinic, LLC, Scottsville, New York, USA.
Krarup Nielsen, Rikke
  • Medicine and Surgery, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Taastrup, Denmark.
Bäcklund, Sofia
  • Medicine and Surgery, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Taastrup, Denmark.
Dahlmann Christensen, Nanna
  • Medicine and Surgery, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Taastrup, Denmark.
Holberg Pihl, Tina
  • Medicine and Surgery, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Taastrup, Denmark.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cataract / epidemiology
  • Cataract / veterinary
  • Chronic Disease
  • Conjunctivitis / veterinary
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Denmark / epidemiology
  • Eczema / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Iceland / epidemiology
  • Leptospira
  • Leptospirosis / veterinary
  • Recurrence
  • United States
  • Uveitis / diagnosis
  • Uveitis / epidemiology
  • Uveitis / veterinary

Grant Funding

  • 110949 / KUSTOS af 1881 Foundation, Denmark

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Ing ST, Pinard CL, James-Jenks EM, Leis ML. A retrospective survey of equine ocular diseases evaluated at a referral hospital in Ontario (2011 to 2021). Can Vet J 2025 Mar;66(3):308-317.
    pubmed: 40070935
  2. Allen R, Goodhead AD. A survey of ocular pathology in Warmblood horses in South Africa. Equine Vet J 2025 Jul;57(4):889-897.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14427pubmed: 39535442google scholar: lookup
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