Equine immune‐mediated keratopathies

Abstract

Equine immune mediated keratopathies are common in both Europe and the USA. This review article will compare the clinical differences in horses with this disease and also review the current theories on pathogenesis and treatment of equine IMMK.

Treatment of immune‐mediated keratitis in horses with episcleral silicone matrix cyclosporine delivery devices

“…This retrospective study was performed by reviewing records of horses diagnosed with IMMK or pigmentary keratouveitis and implanted with ESMC implants from 2005 to 2013 at North Carolina State University, The Ohio State University, and a private equine ophthalmology practice in Brescia, Italy. Immune‐mediated keratitis was diagnosed based on criteria described previously . Briefly, IMMK was characterized by corneal opacification localized to the superficial stromal, middle stroma, or endothelium; corneal vascularization; mild or lack of ocular pain; no etiologic organisms identified; and favorable response to immunosuppressive therapy .…”

“…Immune‐mediated keratitis was diagnosed based on criteria described previously . Briefly, IMMK was characterized by corneal opacification localized to the superficial stromal, middle stroma, or endothelium; corneal vascularization; mild or lack of ocular pain; no etiologic organisms identified; and favorable response to immunosuppressive therapy . Pigmentary keratouveitis (PK), a disease that is similar to IMMK, was diagnosed based on clinical criteria described recently, which included signs of corneal edema, pigmented keratic precipitates, anterior uveitis, and iridal depigmentation .…”

“…The etiopathogenesis is largely unknown but is presumed to be immune mediated based on lack of etiologic organisms identified, a predominant T‐cell‐mediated infiltrate, and favorable response to immunosuppressive therapy . Several types of equine IMMK have been described, and clinical features are based on the location of inflammation within the cornea, namely superficial, stromal, endothelial, and newly described pigmentary keratouveitis . Treatment for IMMK differs somewhat based on the location of the inflammation; however, the mainstay of therapy is topical immunosuppressant medications, especially CsA .…”

Disorders of the eye

“…It was succinctly described by Matthews and Gilger in 2009, reviewing the different presentations in the UK and the USA. It was succinctly described by Matthews and Gilger in 2009, reviewing the different presentations in the UK and the USA.…”

Science‐in‐brief: Clinical highlights from BEVA Congress 2013

“…Andy Matthews provided a very detailed insight into the complex subject of immune‐mediated keratopathies . This group of diseases cause painless, nonulcerative, inflammatory corneal disease without uveitis.…”