[Periodic uveitis in horses].

The research article focuses on the examination of periodic uveitis in equines, investigating the cause, clinical symptoms, and treatment methods. It pays special attention to the possible role of Onchocerca cervicalis microfilariae in the disease’s origin, with corticosteroids and atropine being identified as significant therapeutic drugs.

Aetiology of Periodic Uveitis in Horses

• The cause of equine periodic ophthalmia or, in simpler terms, periodic uveitis in horses is a central area of discussion in the research paper. It is an ocular condition in equines that is characterized by repeated bouts of inflammation in the uvea, the middle layer of the eye.
• The research gives emphasis to the potential role of Onchocerca cervicalis microfilariae in giving rise to this condition. Onchocerca cervicalis is a parasitic worm widely seen in horses, specifically in the ligaments of the neck. Notebooked, its offspring, referred to as microfilariae, are suspected to have a direct correlation with periodic uveitis in horses.

Clinical Symptoms

• The research does not detail the clinical symptoms, but it discusses them in a broad context. Horse owners and equine practitioners generally observe symptoms such as redness in the eye, increased tear production, sensitivity to light, cloudiness in the eye, and occasional vision loss.
• Since the disease is recurring, these symptoms will typically show up in intervals and may last a few days to several weeks.
• It is important to diagnose the condition at its earliest to prevent severe damage which may lead to blindness or other serious ocular illnesses.

Treatment

• The research identifies corticosteroids and atropine as the most vital therapeutic drugs in treating equine periodic ophthalmia.
• Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory drugs, effectively reducing the inflammation in the uvea. It mitigates the symptoms making the horse more comfortable.
• Atropine, on the other hand, is used to alleviate spasms and reduce the production of body fluids. In the context of equine periodic ophthalmia, it helps relax the horse’s eye muscles and decreases fluid production thereby aiding in reducing pressure in the eyes and relieving pain.
• Although these treatments are effective, they are largely symptomatic. A complete cure for the disease is yet to be found.