When all one does is deal with the “eye” day in and day out, one may (or should) get a feel for certain things that can go wrong. You might say that such is my case. I have been able to observe some common pitfalls in equine ophthalmology that we all may fall into. I can try to map these out for you here, but if you’re as bad at reading maps as I am, you may still “fall in” occasionally. But, that’s what life’s all about...seeing trouble ahead, but still getting into it anyhow.

The subpalpebral lavage system is used to deliver medication to the horse's eye easily and efficiently. The system is made from a flexible tube, which is passed through the upper eyelid into the conjunctival fornix (the space located between the eyelid and the eye). Medication is introduced to the system at a distant portal of injection and is delivered to the eye through the tubing. Upon reaching the end of the tubing in the upper conjunctival fornix, medication exits the system and runs over the eye. Subpalpebral lavage systems are useful in delivering an exact amount of medication to a painful eye with minimal stress to the horse and client.

Topical corticosteroids (corticosteroid eye drops) suppress vascularization, decrease pigmentation and reduce inflammation. In many cases the benefits of corticosteroid eye drops are dramatic and can save vision. However, corticosteroids have several known side effects which include thinning of the cornea, slowing the healing of corneal injuries and lowering resistance to ocular infection. In rare cases internal side effects associated with topical administration of corticosteroids have been reported.

Several medications are used in the treatment of “dry eye” in animals. The most frequently used drug, cyclosporine A, is a potent, immune-suppressing agent that was first used in human medicine to help prevent rejection of transplanted organs. Tacrolimus is also used and was developed to help prevent corneal transplant rejection in people. Tacrolimus is a newer therapy for dry eye and is still used as an experimental drug. The long-term side effects are yet to be determined.

At Eye Care for Animals we are committed to effectively managing and minimizing the pain your pet may experience following surgery. Effectively managing pain, we believe, not only keeps your pet more comfortable but also helps your pet recover more quickly.

Safe for use in both dogs and cats, the Fentanyl Patch is particularly useful for minimizing pain associated with surgery. Fentanyl, a potent pain relief drug is slowly released from the patch and absorbed through the skin. A single Fentanyl Patch significantly relieves pain for up to four days.