Countryside Equine Vet, Dr. Zoe Lattimer performing an eye exam.
Opthamology

Equine Eye Care

Horses' eyes are incredibly delicate and this, combined with the horse's dependence on the sense of sight, means that any sign of a potential eye problem should be treated immediately.

The eyes are critical to the health, performance and well-being of your horse. Eye injuries can be devastating to a horse if they're not treated appropriately and with urgency.

Here at Countryside, we offer medical and surgical treatment options along with the latest drug therapies. Any damage to the horse's eye is considered an emergency.

If your horse is experiencing any eye or vision problems, call us immediately at (770) 788-7387.

What are common

Equine Eye Problems?

1
Corneal Ulcers, are sores that develop on the cornea. They are the most common eye disturbance in horses.
2
Cataracts are a condition in which the lens becomes cloudy, which then affects sight and eventually causes blindness.
3
Glaucoma is a rare, yet severe eye problem where pressure within the eye increases due to poor fluid drainage.  It occurs most frequently in older horses and Appaloosas.
4
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common type of cancer in horses. It can affect the eyelids, the whites of the eye, or the cornea. Luckily, it does’t metastasize very often, but it can be destructive.
5
Equine Recurrent Uveitis, also known as Moon Blindness, is a leading cause of blindness in horses.
6
Blindness can affect one or both eyes and occurs in about 1 - 2% of horses.
Signs Your Horse May Have

An Injured Eye

Redness
Excessive tearing
Heavy discharge from the eye
Squinting
Swelling around the eye
Cloudiness of the eye

If your horse is excessively rubbing their eye against objects, they may be trying to relieve pain or irritation. This rubbing can easily increase trauma to your horse's eye and quickly create a serious problem.

Administering Treatment

Eye Trauma

Administering treatment for eye trauma can be challenging and painful. Management of serious eye problems often requires multiple treatments per day and may extend for several weeks.

Equine Eye Trauma Recovery
SPL (subpalpebral lavage) system
used to deliver medications directly
into the eye area.
Equine Eye Trauma Recovery
A "bubble mask" is also
used to protect the
eye further.
From the Blog

News & Articles

As many of our clients know, we love sharing our knowledge and important animal health news. Our blog contains valuable educational resources in one easy location.

Sep 13

Decoding Equine Pain: How to Recognize the Signs

As Pain Awareness Month begins, it's crucial to spot subtle signs of discomfort in horses, often masked by their natural ability to hide pain. By closely monitoring behavior and recognizing equine facial expressions, owners can learn to spot pain.
More
Aug 8

Focus on Soundness: Strategies for Injury-Free Horses

Expert Insights from Our Veterinarians. Plus, simple yet effective tactics to prevent injuries and maintain soundness.
More
Jun 29

Sweatless Summers: Unraveling the Mystery of Anhidrosis in Horses!

Identify the telltale signs of anhidrosis in horses and the practical approaches that can make a difference...
More
Jun 28

Furry Freedom Fest: Tips for a Safe and Fun July 4th!

In preparation for the upcoming Independence Day, we dive into ways to ensure our dogs, cats, and horses have a safe Furr-ocious 4th of July!
More
Jun 4

Trending Topic: Help, my horse has hives!

Uncover the mysterious world of equine hives and discover what's really behind those itchy, raised bumps. From unexpected culprits to playing detective to find the trigger, this blog post reveals the secrets to ...
More
Jun 1

From Racing to Re-homing: Client Stories of Triumph

Derby week has come and gone, but these inspiring stories of success and triumph from some of our off-the-track Thoroughbreds are timeless.
More
Feb 27

The "Non-Steriod" Future of Arthritis Treatment

From training to competition, repetitive movements and trauma can lead to inflammation of the joint. There is a new, non-steroid, biotechnology treatment available.
More
Feb 1

Signs your horse may be dealing with a muscle disorder

Has your horse’s performance declined? Has he or she lost muscle across its top-line? Are you exerting a lot of effort to get and keep your horse going? This Post delves into muscle disorders.
More
Jan 6

All About Hoof Health

The foundation of a horse’s health is a strong, healthy hoof. Read on for insightful tips and proactive planning to ensure your horse has happy feet all year round.
More
13 Sep

Decoding Equine Pain: How to Recognize the Signs

As Pain Awareness Month begins, it's crucial to spot subtle signs of discomfort in horses, often masked by their natural ability to hide pain. By closely monitoring behavior and recognizing equine facial expressions, owners can learn to spot pain.
More
8 Aug

Focus on Soundness: Strategies for Injury-Free Horses

Expert Insights from Our Veterinarians. Plus, simple yet effective tactics to prevent injuries and maintain soundness.
More
29 Jun

Sweatless Summers: Unraveling the Mystery of Anhidrosis in Horses!

Identify the telltale signs of anhidrosis in horses and the practical approaches that can make a difference...
More
28 Jun

Furry Freedom Fest: Tips for a Safe and Fun July 4th!

In preparation for the upcoming Independence Day, we dive into ways to ensure our dogs, cats, and horses have a safe Furr-ocious 4th of July!
More
4 Jun

Trending Topic: Help, my horse has hives!

Uncover the mysterious world of equine hives and discover what's really behind those itchy, raised bumps. From unexpected culprits to playing detective to find the trigger, this blog post reveals the secrets to ...
More
1 Jun

From Racing to Re-homing: Client Stories of Triumph

Derby week has come and gone, but these inspiring stories of success and triumph from some of our off-the-track Thoroughbreds are timeless.
More
1 Mar

The "Non-Steriod" Future of Arthritis Treatment

From training to competition, repetitive movements and trauma can lead to inflammation of the joint. There is a new, non-steroid, biotechnology treatment available.
More
1 Feb

Signs your horse may be dealing with a muscle disorder

Has your horse’s performance declined? Has he or she lost muscle across its top-line? Are you exerting a lot of effort to get and keep your horse going? This Post delves into muscle disorders.
More