Practical usefulness of a therapeutic soft contact lens for a corneal ulcer in a racehorse.

This research was conducted to test the efficiency of Therapeutic soft contact lenses (TSCL) in the treatment of a racehorse with a non-responsive corneal ulcer. The study found that the TSCL not only reduced ocular pain but also allowed the horse to resume its training and race activities.

Introduction

• The research primarily focuses on the use of Therapeutic soft contact lenses (TSCL) on a thoroughbred racehorse that was diagnosed with a corneal ulcer, exhibiting resistance to topical medication.
• The study aims to provide evidence on the therapeutic benefits of TSCL in cases where topical medication fails to render adequate results.

Procedure

• The TSCL was inserted 36 days after the initial diagnosis and treatment began, using a nose twitch under sedation and topical anesthesia, along with auriculopalpebral nerve block, a procedure that provides regional anesthesia to the upper part of the face.
• The endurance and response towards the inserted TSCL were observed over 114 days.

Results

• Ocular pain, a distressing symptom of corneal ulcers, was reported to have improved immediately after the insertion of the TSCL.
• Fluorescein tests, performed to confirm the integrity of the cornea, showed negative results 17 days post-insertion. This is indicative of healing, as a positive test would suggest corneal abrasions or ulcers.
• The horse, comforted by the TSCL, was able to resume its regular training and even participated in two races during this period.

Conclusion

• The findings of the research suggest that therapeutic soft contact lenses can pose as an effective treatment option for racehorses dealing with non-responsive corneal ulcers.
• The lens not only improves the condition of the corneal ulcer but also allows the horse to carry on its regularly scheduled activities, hence proving to have considerable practical value in the field of equine medicine.