Equine recurrent uveitis—A review

Abstract

According to recent studies from Canada and the south-eastern United States, approximately one third of the horses evaluated were bilaterally blind at their first ophthalmologic examination (Gerding & Gilger, 2016;Sandmeyer et al., 2017). These results demonstrate the need for early referral in cases diagnosed with ERU, even if the recognisable signs are mild. Blindness may lead to a horse being retired early, or even subjected to euthanasia. Both situations are coupled with emotional, as well as financial concerns for their owners (Abrams & Brooks, 1990;Gerding & Gilger, 2016;Rebhun, 1979).Topical and/or systemic medical (immunosuppressive and antiinflammatory) therapy are the foundation of any ERU treatment.However, medical therapy alone insufficiently controls or suppresses acute inflammation or prevents recurrent intraocular inflammation. In such instances, surgical intervention may be indicated (Allbaugh, 2017;Spiess, 2010). Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and suprachoroidal cyclosporine implant (SCI) placement are both recognised and effective surgical treatment options for ERU (Frühauf