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  Discussion on Surgery option/uveitis
Author Message

Posted on Monday, Oct 29, 2001 - 9:25 am:

Hello,
I have a horse that has been diagnosed with uveitis. My vet has recommended contacting OSU in regards to a clinical study they are doing. Has anyone had the surgery preformed at OSU to prevent any recurrence of uveitis. If so has the surgery been successful? Thank you.

Kelly

Posted on Tuesday, Oct 30, 2001 - 4:38 am:

If the procedure you speak about is "vitrectomy" we have a very complete evaluation of this procedure in the article associated with this forum. Click on Recurrent Uveitis above.
DrO

Posted on Monday, Nov 5, 2001 - 10:03 pm:

Hi- I have heard that OSU is performing intraocular implants with (?)cyclosporine(?) to reduce the frequency of flare ups. Could this be the procedure you refer too? Just curious!

Posted on Monday, Nov 19, 2001 - 11:21 pm:

the surgery I am asking about is the implant surgery being preformed at OSU. I've spoken with the vet at OSU, and they say they have had very good results. But I am still very curious to speak with someone who has had the surgery on their horse. Has it been successful in reducing/eliminating the flare ups? It is my understanding that the implant is only good for seven years at which point another implant will be placed in the eye. I'd appreciate anyone's response.

Posted on Tuesday, Nov 20, 2001 - 6:44 am:

Hello Kelly,
I am unfamiliar with this implant operation and there are no published reports on the procedure that I can find. This appears to be experimental at this time. Please keep us informed about the procedure and how this works for you.
DrO

Posted on Monday, Nov 26, 2001 - 11:09 pm:

Kelly, you might consider giving my vet a call for possible references...he seemed to know of some successful cases and perhaps he'd be able to refer you from there...His name is Steve Latimer at Northwest Equine in Covington, WA. Phone # 253-639-2909. He first told me about this procedure a couple years ago, so he may have even more info/experience to share. Good Luck!

Posted on Monday, Dec 3, 2001 - 11:56 am:

Hello Kelly,
At the AAEP meeting I just returned from Dr. Gilger reported on his experiences with cyclosporin implants n the eye and a review of the literature. The procedure is pretty new with the first reports that he provided appearing late last year. The number of cases so far reported on is under 100.

The indication for implants are patients with RU not controled through traditional means yet have minimal damage to the eye. The surgery does have a good rate of sucess with 81% of the horses having been judged as free of symptoms for an average of 13 months (some as long as 24 months)following surgery.

Cost of the surgery is estimated at 1500 dollars.
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 4, 2001 - 2:08 pm:

Hi there. I feel your pain. Less than a month ago, I had to put my beloved Paint (5 yrs old) down due to blindness from ERU. We did EVERYTHING! DrOps 4 times/day on and off for a year. We saw one of the leading equine ophthalamologists in the world, Dr. Jill Beech at the New Bolton Center (UPenn vet school) 3 times but there was nothing to be done. Both retinas detached.

But anyway, I contacted Dr. Gilger and learned alot about cyclosporin implants. Dr. Beech was not in favor of vitrectomy and had heard some less-than-positive feedback on the implants from Ohio State. Dr. O is right in that the procedure is still experimental. If you do decide to pursue, choose your ophthalamologist carefully, as blindness can result from eye trauma during the surgery or infection afterwards.

Because my guy went totally blind, there was really no point in the implants; there was no sight to save. It may have reduced the uveitis attacks, but it just didn't seem fair to put a blind horse through all the stress of surgery. His quality of life was just not there and although it was probably the hardest thing I've had to do in my life, I know it was the right decision. (Can you tell I'm still greiving him?)

I'd be happy to detail anything further. Please anyone feel free to contact me through my e-mail address in my profile.

Good Luck,
Joni
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