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  Discussion on Constriction of pupil - can anything be done?
Author Message
New Member:
Ekeeling

Posted on Thursday, Nov 27, 2003 - 5:27 am:

Hi,

My horse Willy has had uveitis for about 4 years. He has had roughly one recurrence of uveitis per year for the last 3 years. There was little damage to his eye and he could see pretty well. He lives out and wore a guardian mask for the last 3 years 24/7. Last week I noticed that the pupil in his good eye was constricted (no tearing or inflamation in the eye) so I put some atropine in his eye. The atropine usually dilates the pupil but nothing happened. My vet came a few days ago and said that the lens had stuck to the iris and there was nothing I could do.

He is a great vet but eyes are not his speciality. He said he though that the horse might be able to see a bit of light but that he couldn't see into the back of the eye so he didn't think the horse could see much, if anything. He suggested blacking out the guardian mask completely on his bad eye. So that the horse would be able to focus with his good eye. Is there anyone who knows if there is anything that can be done when the pupil gets tight like this and atropine won't budge it. Does anyone know how much a horse can see if anything like this?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Nov 27, 2003 - 4:12 pm:

Hello Eileen,
There is not enough information to answer your questions about what treatments might be appropriate for your horse. You describe what sound like adhesions that have formed between the pupil and lens but this would be unusual without some history of inflammation in this eye. If this is true and the adhesions have matured or your horse is non-visual for other reasons your veterinarian may be right. If you want to take every chance that sight might be restored you need to have a veterinary opthamologist examine your horses eye to see if the diagnosis is correct and what treatments might help. In the mean time, and with the OK from your regular vet, I would continue the atropine on the chance the synechiae might break free.
DrO
Member:
Ekeeling

Posted on Friday, Nov 28, 2003 - 10:57 am:

Dear Dr O,

Thank you very much for your advice. Will continue with the atropine. The horse has had inflamation and soreness/swelling in the past but I haven't noticed any inflamation etc for about 6 months but have just noticed the pupil constricting. Usually when this happens there are other symptoms and the atropine works. Perhaps this has been like this for a while and I haven't noticed (but I don't think so).

Regards Eileen
Member:
Ekeeling

Posted on Saturday, Nov 29, 2003 - 1:48 pm:

Dear Dr O,

I am trying not to get too hopeful but I have been putting in Atropine as suggested and the pupil has dilated on one side so I will continue with the hope that the whole pupil will dilate. Thank you very much for your support.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Nov 29, 2003 - 9:25 pm:

That is great Eileen. This is a long shot but it sounds like you are making progress.
DrO
Member:
Ekeeling

Posted on Monday, Dec 1, 2003 - 5:08 am:

Hi DrO,

Pupil still dilating, only a bit in the middle of the pupil to go. However, they eye has shrunk will this make a difference? Also because of the constriction would this have damaged the eye seriously? I am going to ask to see an opthamologist as suggested. Thanks again. Eileen
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Dec 1, 2003 - 6:38 am:

Yes a shrinking globe is not a good sign and suggests serious disease of the inside of the eye. Chronic inflammation is a common cause but it is not clear what treatment might be indicated. While waiting for the consult you should get your regular vet to look at what is going on in case some rapid therapy is needed.

You should also discuss with him whether to discontinue the atropine. The effects of atropine on the intraocular pressure are less well understood in horses than other species. In some horses it will lower it while in others it will raise it so it is uncertain if there may be a relation.
DrO
Member:
Ekeeling

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 3, 2003 - 12:12 pm:

Dear Dr O,

My regular vet came yesterday and managed to look at the back of the eye. There is not any sign of disease or Cateracts etc. I have to continue with the Atropine so that the rest of the pupil will get a chance to break free. Fingers Crossed!

I discussed with him the shrinking globe and he said that he had seen Willy's eye shrink before and a couple of weeks later it was looking ok again. I will just have to wait and see. Will keep you updated. Thanks again.

Eileen
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