Treatment and long-term follow-up of distichiasis, with special reference to the Friesian horse: a case series.

The research paper describes a retrospective study involving the treatment and long-term effects of distichiasis, an uncommon eye condition in horses. The study specifically focuses on findings in Friesian horses from 2003 to 2012.

Objective and Methodology of the Research

• The primary goal of the research was to explore and narrate the treatment procedures and long-term follow-ups for distichiasis in horses.
• The researchers carried out a retrospective clinical study to gather the relevant data.
• They reviewed case records of horses admitted for diagnosis and treatment of distichiasis, either unilateral or bilateral, between 2003 and 2012.
• The researchers conducted long-term follow-ups by using telephone conversation with owners or referring veterinarians, which took place at least 6 months after the last treatment.
• For the analysis of the data, researchers employed the Chi-squared test.

Results Derived from the Research

• The study included 18 cases, out of which 17 involved Friesian horses.
• Common symptoms of the condition included signs of corneal irritation or ulceration concurrent with distichiasis.
• Out of the total 29 eyes affected by this condition, 23 showed clinical signs. Thirteen had fluorescein positive defects, which indicates corneal damage.
• Distichiasis was found to affect the lower eyelid more frequently.
• For treatment, two different electrocautery devices were used. Electrocautery is a therapeutic approach involving localized heating from electricity to remove or seal off tissue.
• Some complications from treatment included slight scarring of the eyelids (in all cases) and reoccurrence of the condition (in 54% of the cases).
• 46% of the horses showed satisfactory resolution of clinical symptoms after a single treatment. A mean of 2 treatments (with a range of 1-6 treatments) was necessary to achieve satisfactory long-term results in 77% of the horses.

Conclusions of the Research

• The research concluded that Friesian horses are predisposed to suffer from distichiasis.
• This breed of horses showing symptoms of unilateral or bilateral corneal irritation or corneal ulceration should undergo thorough examination of the eyelid margins to diagnose distichiasis.
• Electrocautery was determined to be a valid and successful therapeutic approach, being minimally invasive, cost-effective, having a low complication rate, and easy to perform on a sedated horse.
• The recurrence rate of the condition was found to be low in horses having fewer than 5 distichiae (extra eyelashes growing from the eyelid margin).