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Equine veterinary journal2023; 56(1); 121-130; doi: 10.1111/evj.13941

Ocular findings in a population of geriatric equids in the United Kingdom.

Abstract: There are a growing number of horses, ponies, and donkeys aged 15 years or older in the United Kingdom, yet there have been no studies utilising a complete ophthalmic examination to investigate the prevalence of ophthalmic pathology within this population. Objective: To investigate the prevalence of ophthalmic pathology and associations with signalment, in a convenience sample of geriatric equids in the United Kingdom. Methods: Cross sectional. Methods: Horses, ponies, and donkeys aged 15 years or older based at The Horse Trust charity underwent a full ophthalmic examination including slit lamp biomicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy. Relationships between signalment and pathology were assessed using Fisher's exact and Mann-Witney U tests. Results: Fifty animals were examined ranging from 15 to 33 years (median 24, interquartile range [IQR] 21, 27). The prevalence of ocular pathology was 84.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 73.8, 94.2%; n = 42). Four animals (8.0%) had adnexal pathology, while 37 (74.0%) and 22 (44.0%) had at least one form of anterior or posterior segment pathology, respectively. Of those with anterior segment pathology, 26 animals (52.0%) had cataract in at least one eye, with the most common location being anterior cortical (65.0% of those animals with cataract). Animals with posterior segment pathology included 21 animals (42.0%) with fundic pathology, with senile retinopathy being the most common (42.9% of all animals with fundic pathology). Despite the high prevalence of ocular pathology, all eyes examined remained visual. The most common breeds were Irish Draught (24.0%, n = 12), Shetland (18.0%, n = 9) and Thoroughbred (10%, n = 5); the majority were geldings (74.0%, n = 37). There was a statistically significant relationship between the presence of anterior segment pathology and breed (p = 0.006), with all Cobs and Shetlands examined having anterior segment pathology. The presence of posterior segment pathology and senile retinopathy were associated with older median age (posterior segment pathology: 26.0 years [interquartile range {IQR} 24.0, 30.0 years] vs. 23.5 years [IRQ 19.5, 26.5 years], p = 0.03; senile retinopathy: 27.0 years [IQR 26.0, 30 years] vs. 24.0 years [IQR 20.0, 27.0], p = 0.04). None of the pathologies investigated were more prone to affect one versus both eyes (p > 0.05; 71.4% of ocular pathologies were bilateral while 28.6% were unilateral). Conclusions: Data were obtained from a relatively small sample size of a single cohort of animals that lacked a control group. Conclusions: There was a high prevalence and wide range of ocular lesions in this subset of geriatric equids. Unassigned: Es gibt eine steigende Zahl an Pferden, Ponys, und Eseln im Alter von 15 Jahren oder älter in Großbritannien (GB). Dennoch gibt es bisher keine Studien, welche eine komplette ophthalmologische Untersuchung für die Ermittlung der Prävalenz ophthalmologischer Pathologie innerhalb dieser Population verwenden. Unassigned: Untersuchung der Prävalenz ophthalmologischer Pathologie und Assoziationen mit Signalement in einer willkürlich ausgewählten Population geriatrischer Equiden in GB. Methods: Querschnittsstudie. Methods: Pferde, Ponys, und Esel im Alter von 15 Jahren oder älter, untergebracht bei der Wohltätigkeitseinrichtung „The Horse Trust“ wurden einer umfassenden ophthalmologischen Untersuchung unterzogen, inklusive Spaltlampenmikroskopie und indirekter Ophthalmoskopie. Zusammenhänge zwischen Signalement und Pathologie wurden mithilfe des Fisher's exact und Mann-Witney U Tests ermittelt. Unassigned: Fünfzig Tiere im Alter von 15 bis 33 Jahren (Median 24, Interquartilsabstand [IQR] 21,27) wurden untersucht. Die Prävalenz okularer Pathologie war 84.0% (95% Konfidenzintervall [KI] 73.8, 94.2%; n = 42). Vier Tiere (8.0%) wiesen Pathologie der Adnexe auf, während jeweils 37 (74.0%) und 22 (44.0%) mindestens eine Form von anteriorer oder posteriorer Pathologie hatten. Von jenen mit Pathologie des vorderen Augenabschnittes, wiesen 26 Tiere (52.0%) einen Katarakt in mindestens einem Auge auf, mit anterior kortikal als die häufigste Lokalisation (65.0% der Tiere mit Katarakt). Die Gruppe mit Pathologie des hinteren Augenabschnittes beinhaltete 21 Tiere (42.0%) mit Fundus Pathologie, mit seniler Retinopathie als die Häufigste (42.9% aller Tiere mit Pathologie des Fundus). Trotz der hohen Prävalenz okularer Pathologie war der Visus bei allen untersuchten Tieren erhalten. Die häufigsten Rassen waren Irish Draft (24.0%, n = 12), Shetland Ponys (18.0%, n = 9) und Vollblüter (10%, n = 5); die Mehrzahl waren Wallache (74.0%, n = 37). Ein statistisch signifikanter Zusammenhang bestand zwischen dem Vorhandensein von Pathologie des Vordersegmentes und Rasse (p = 0.006), da alle Cobs und Shetland Ponys Pathologie des Vordersegmentes aufwiesen. Das Vorhandensein von Pathologie des Hintersegmentes (p = 0.03) und senile Retinopathie (p = 0.04) waren mit höherem medianem Alter assoziiert (Pathologie Hintersegment: 26.0 Jahre [IQR 24.0, 30.0 Jahre] vs. 23.5 Jahre [IQR 19.5, 26.5 Jahre], p = 0.03; senile Retinopathie: 27.0 Jahre [IQR 26.0, 30 Jahre] vs. 24.0 Jahre [IQR 20.0, 27.0 Jahre], p = 0.04). Keine der untersuchten Pathologien wiesen eine höhere Wahrscheinlichkeit auf, ein gegenüber beide Augen zu betreffen (p > 0.05; 71.4% der okularen Pathologien waren bilateral, 28.6% waren unilateral). HAUPTEINSCHRÄNKUNGEN: Die Daten wurden aus relativ kleinem Probenumfang ermittelt, aus einer einzelnen Kohorte von Tieren ohne Kontrollgruppe. Unassigned: Eine hohe Prävalenz mit breitem Spektrum okularer Pathologien wurde in dieser Untergruppe von geriatrischen Equiden ermittelt.
© 2023 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2023-04-18 PubMed ID: 37070252DOI: 10.1111/evj.13941Google 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 article outlines a study conducted on a geriatric equine population in the United Kingdom, investigating the prevalence of eye diseases and their association with age and breed.

Research Methodology

  • The study used a sample size of 50 horses, ponies, and donkeys aged 15 years or more.
  • These animals, located at The Horse Trust charity, underwent a full ophthalmic examination. The examination included slit lamp biomicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy, techniques that provide an in-depth view of the anterior and posterior parts of the eye.
  • To establish any associations between specific characteristics of the animals (signalment) and eye disease, the researchers employed statistical tests – Fisher’s exact and Mann-Witney U tests.

Research Findings

  • The study revealed an 84% prevalence of ocular pathology within this geriatric population.
  • The types of pathological conditions found were diverse, including adnexal pathology (8%), anterior segment pathology (74%), and posterior segment pathology (44%).
  • Cataract was the commonly identified anterior segment pathology, seen in 52% of the animals. Most cataracts were located in the anterior cortex. Meanwhile, senile retinopathy was the prevalent fundic pathology, found in 42.9% of animals exhibiting posterior segment pathology.
  • All animals examined were able to maintain their visual abilities despite the high prevalence of ocular pathology.

Links with Animal Characteristics

  • The study discovered a significant relationship between the presence of anterior segment pathology and the animals’ breed. Every Cob and Shetland pony examined exhibited some form of pathology in the eye’s anterior segment.
  • The presence of posterior segment pathology and senile retinopathy showed an association with the animal’s age. Older animals were more likely to demonstrate these conditions.
  • Neither the anterior nor the posterior segment pathologies showed a preference for affecting one eye versus both eyes.

Limitations and Conclusion

  • While the study revealed a high occurrence and wide range of eye diseases in geriatric equines, it also acknowledged its limitation – having a relatively small sample size from only one cohort of animals and lacking a control group.
  • The findings suggest a need for further studies, given the rising population of older horses, ponies, and donkeys, and the potential impact of age and breed on eye health.

Cite This Article

APA
Chalder R, Housby-Skeggs N, Clark C, Pollard D, Hartley C, Blacklock B. (2023). Ocular findings in a population of geriatric equids in the United Kingdom. Equine Vet J, 56(1), 121-130. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13941

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 56
Issue: 1
Pages: 121-130

Researcher Affiliations

Chalder, Ria
  • The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
Housby-Skeggs, Nicola
  • The Horse Trust, Slad Lane, Princes Risborough, UK.
Clark, Claire
  • The Horse Trust, Slad Lane, Princes Risborough, UK.
Pollard, Danica
  • The British Horse Society, Kenilworth, UK.
Hartley, Claudia
  • The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
Blacklock, Benjamin
  • The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Animals
  • Aged
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Equidae
  • Cataract / epidemiology
  • Cataract / veterinary
  • Retinal Diseases / veterinary
  • United Kingdom / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis

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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.
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