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Often the vet will have you apply NSAIDs (coricosteroids) given topically
to dilate the pupil. Usually, the horse should be kept up in a dark stall since the eye is dilated and sunlight can
cause additional harm. Our horses have become so stressed from being stalled for weeks that they will develop ulcers
and colic. We use the double-strapped fly masks and cover the inside of the fly mask over the affected eye with duct
tape. (The whole side of the fly mask will be covered to completely block out the sunlight.) For horses that try
to remove their fly masks, we even duct tape the closure to prevent its removal. Now the horse can be turned out with
the other horses and will not be as stressed. A clean fly mask should be put on each day.
HPS has dealt with many different types of eye problems to include many
cases of recurrent uveitis. Our grandmothers and mothers were right when they told you, "Eat your carrots. They
are good for your eyes." We have found it is the beta carotene in the carrots that is so beneficial. There
have been studies done and they indicated that beta carotene did not help with equine eye diseases. We believe
the problem with theses studies is they did not give enough beta carotene to the horses being studied. HPS has experimented
and found that horses treated for recurrent uveitis need 75,000 units beta carotene morning and evening for the
rest of their lives. If you stop treatment, the recurrent uveitis may very well return. If you have done
your homework concerning this illness, you know that each incident further damages the eye. The other benefit of beta
carotene is the potential for a slight improvement of the horse's eye sight.
Lutein is also of benefit to horse's eyes and we give one gel cap
in their feed also. Both lutein and beta carotene are becoming more difficult to find in drug stores. Most of
the vitamins we use for the horses are ordered from http://www.swanson.com/ . They carry both items. The gel caps are just dropped
into the horse's feed morning and evening.
Some
light-colored horses are very prone to recurrent uveitis and we give those horses one 25,000 IU of beta carotene morning and
evening. Appaloosas are a breed that are prone to recurrent uveitis.
We love to hear your success stories so feel free to email HPS. If HPS has helped you and your horse, please help the rescued horses with a donation.
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