Ophthalmology

Horses are particularly prone to eye diseases ranging from trauma-related corneal ulcers to vision impairing cancerous conditions. Any painful eye needs to be treated as a case for urgent attention. Pain is a characteristic of many eye disorders and this can make it very difficult to administer treatment as the horse will often evade any manipulation of the eye for medication. We use specialised techniques for ease of medication including depot injection, indwelling opthalmic catheters for remote medication and surgical procedures for direct protection of severe erosive ulcers. Diagnosis of complex eye conditions often requires ultrasound of the eye, visual exploration of the retina at the back of the eye and sometimes sampling of inflamed tissues for bacterial and fungal isolation.

It is particually important to pay careful attention to the eyes of your horses during the summer months. At this time of the year flies can not only be a source of irritation and self aggrivation causing red weeping eyes,but they can also lay eggs in the corners of the eye, resulting in irritation and discharge. Summer also heralds the potential for grass seeds to become lodged in the recesses of the eyes resulting in abrasive damage and corneal ulcers. Sometimes these grass seeds are impossible to detect on casual observation.

 

Any painful eye needs to be treated as a case for urgent attention. Phone us for advice if there is any blue discoloration to the cornea (clear area of the eye).

 Office hours (02) 67 664333, Emergency afterhours 0427 359280