Current information suggests that equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is an immune-mediated reaction to infectious agents or to autologous ophthalmic tissue. Recurrences are associated with progression of irreversible ocular damage. This report describes the intraoperative technique, complications, and long-term results of 38 eyes in 35 horses with ERU that underwent pars plana vitrectomy. The majority of the horses were warm-blooded. Recurrence of ERU was prevented in 35 of the 38 eyes. Some horses, especially in patients with incipient cataracts, developed vision loss in postoperative, quiescent eyes which was usually associated with cataract formation. Vision was stable in 85% of all eyes that underwent vitrectomy. Pars plana vitrectomy in horses appears successful in interrupting the cycle of repeated episodes of ERU, and the subsequent globe destruction in the majority of eyes. Removal of uveitis-induced 'immunologic memory' in the vitreous by vitrectomy may reduce adverse interaction between the vitreous and the uveal tract, and therefore reduce the recurrence of ERU.

ZusammenfassungBei der equinen rezidivierenden Uveitis handelt es sich nach neueren Erkenntnissen um eine durch eine Leptospireninfektion des inneren Auges sowie der daraus resultierenden T-Zell-assoziierten immunologischen Reaktionen ausgelöste Entzündung aller Uveastrukturen. Nach Werry und Gerhards (1991) Schlüsselwörter: Pferd, Auge, equine rezidivierende Uveitis, Vitrektomie, double-port Long-term results of pars-plana (double-port) vitrectomy in equine recurrent uveitisEquine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is an inflammation of all parts of the uvea. Following new investigations it is mediated by a leptospiral infection of the inner eye with an immunologically mediated reaction to the infectious agents. Pars-plana-vitrectomy is documented as a successful treatment of ERU. Frühauf et al. (1998) conducted only single-port vitrectomies with one scleral port, while Winterberg and Gerhards (1997) describe both single-port and modified double-port vitrectomies. A total of 56 vitrectomies were performed using the double-port method on 53 horses at the Equine Clinic of the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, from January, 1999, until March, 2004. Of the 50 eyes included in a long-term follow-up study, 47 (94%) had no recurrence. This result confirms that ERU can be successfully treated by vitrectomy. In our study 14% of the eyes with no recurrence developed blindness due to retinal detachment and progressive cataract. There had been obvious damage to these eyes before surgery, so its purpose was to relieve pain and prevent recurrence. As these goals were achieved, the surgery is to be considered a success.

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