Alterações do sistema oftálmico em equinos com ênfase em medidas terapêuticas / Disorders of the ophthalmic system in horses emphasising the therapeutic approach

RESUMO

Background: Ophthalmic disorders in horses have different etiologies and pathologies, compromising the quality of vision in different degrees. The main importance of ophthalmic disorders is the potential for vision impairment. Due to the severe consequences of vision impairment, the proper approach to the ophthalmic system is a prerequisite for an adequate diagnosis and treatment. The choice of treatment is critical to a successful outcome and for the prognosis of vision quality. This paper presents a case study of horses with disorders of the ophthalmic system emphasising the therapeutic approach. Case From 2011 to 2014, 35 horses with ophthalmic disorders were attended at the Hospital de Clínicas Veterinárias of the Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel), Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Among them, 45.7% had corneal ulcer, 14.2% stromal abscess, 8.5% recurrent uveitis, 20% eyeball perforation and 11.4% squamous cell carcinoma. All the horses were evaluated by specific clinical examination of the ophthalmic system. The animals testing positive for fluorescein had corneal ulceration, photophobia, blepharospasm, conjunctival hyperemia, miosis, uveitis severe eye pain and were treated with eye wash cleaning, intravenous flunixin meglumine, topical gentamicin, tobramycin, atropine and autologous serum. Horses irresponsive to treatment within 10 days were referred to surgery...(AU)