Silicone ocular prosthesis in horses: 11 cases (1983-1987).

The research analyses the use and efficacy of silicone ocular prostheses in horses suffering from eye diseases or injuries leading to a loss of eye function. The study, covering a span of four years, assesses the post-operation complications and cosmetic results of using silicone ocular implants as alternatives to simply removing the eye (enucleation).

Study Overview

• The study evaluated 11 horses with severe ophthalmic diseases or injuries that had been treated with silicone ocular implants.
• The majority of these horses (n = 9) underwent enucleation followed by the insertion of an intraorbital prosthesis, while the remaining two had an evisceration procedure, which involved carving out the interior components of the eye and subsequently fitting with an intraocular prosthesis.
• The research assessed both post-operation complications and cosmetic outcomes following these procedures.

Findings

• Of the 11 horses treated, there was a low rate of complications; only one case of localized incisional infection emerged while in the hospital, which was successfully treated with antimicrobial therapy.
• For the nine available horses, cosmetic results were rated as ‘excellent’ in five cases and ‘good’ in four cases.
• The study found the best cosmetic results came from the insertion of an intraocular implant as opposed to an intraorbital one.
• No complications were reported by any horse owners or caretakers.

Conclusion

• Considering their low cost and ease of insertion, the study encourages routine use of intraorbital and intraocular implants for horses with severe eye diseases or injuries.
• The study presents silicone ocular implants as an effective alternative to enucleation, with its benefits going beyond cosmetics to include reduced complications.