Ophthalmic findings in a herd of Caspian miniature horses

Abstract

SummaryBackgroundThe Caspian miniature horse (CMH) is a small horse breed, which has not previously been evaluated for ophthalmic diseases.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to describe the ocular findings and to declare the normal ocular parameters seen in a small herd of CMH.Study designCross‐sectional study.MethodsForty‐five Caspian miniature horses (25 mares and 20 stallions) were examined. Complete ophthalmic examination, commensal ocular surface microbiota culture and measurement of the horizontal and vertical fissure length were performed.ResultsMean ± SD age of horses was 52.0 ± 33.9 months (range: 12–122 months). Nine different ocular disorders were observed: dacryocystitis, conjunctivitis, linear keratopathy, Haab's striae, corpora nigra atrophy, iris hyperpigmentation, cataract, peripapillary butterfly inactive lesions and inactive choroiditis were detected. In total, 17 eyes (18.8%) of 12 horses (26.2%) had ocular related lesions. Two horses (4%) had more than one ocular lesion; the lesions were consistent with a diagnosis of either traumatic or recurrent uveitis. No vision loss was detected in these horses despite the identified ocular disorders.Main limitationsLimited number of studied animals.ConclusionsThis study reported ocular findings in a small herd of CMH. A minority of horses in the herd had ocular lesions suggesting a history of glaucoma and/or equine recurrent uveitis.