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  Discussion on Signs of discomfort from glaucoma
Author Message
Member:
lkb8190

Posted on Saturday, Jul 5, 2008 - 11:47 am:

Hello DrO, One of the horses I'm caring for is a 23yo Arabian gelding who has recently gone blind from what I believe is glaucoma. I don't want to make this too long but it is definitely NOT uveitis and he fits the glaucoma picture, no formal diagnosis because the funds are not available for treatment etc. (There are 8 horses ranging from 23 to 35, in good health and good flesh, I pamper them as much as I can but if they come up with something that requires surgery or ongoing expensive meds, that's not an option. I just want to keep them as happy as can be while they're healthy, if they get to the point of being unhappy or uncomfortable, then I get the lousy task of having them put down.)

This gelding initially had signs of corneal edema beginning in January, our vet had me treat him with opthalmic ointment w/o steroid, did that for a couple of months but there was no improvement, things actually got gradually worse. After 2 or 3 months he started to have the slightly 'bulging' eyeballs described in the article. Never any tearing, squinting, or other signs that (to me) said he was uncomfortable or in any pain. At that point, he still had some vision, also.

The condition has continued, he still seems to be comfortable, but in the last couple of months his blindness has become total. Thus far, he's getting along okay in the same pasture he's lived in for years - although it's a big one, and I'm working on making a smaller pasture to put he and one other horse into. I can address his 'security' issues - but I want to be sure I'm not overlooking symptoms of discomfort, I don't want him to suffer. What should I be watching for as this progresses? Or does it get to a point and then plateau?

Thanks for any pointers!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Jul 6, 2008 - 9:03 am:

Trearing and closed lids would be typical signs of pain from the eyes as might be rubbing. As to how to prognosticate the future of your horses eyes I do not see anyway to do that. I don't know of any typical course for the pressure of glaucoma but loss of vision is really the only consistent symptom.
DrO
Member:
lkb8190

Posted on Sunday, Jul 6, 2008 - 9:24 am:

Thanks DrO, thus far there haven't been any of those signs, so I will just keep watch and hope for the best. Thanks again, Lisa
Member:
cheryl

Posted on Sunday, Jul 6, 2008 - 10:02 am:

I have no idea how expensive the procedure to remove eye balls is - but if the horse is totally blind it might be an option. Humans use eye DrOps for glaucoma - are they not compatible with horses?
Cheryl K
Member:
lkb8190

Posted on Sunday, Jul 6, 2008 - 2:08 pm:

Thanks Cheryl, I don't know the cost of that surgery, either, but the funds here are extremely limited and I don't see surgery as a viable option. I thought that the glaucoma article said that the eye DrOps that work in other species don't do so well in horses, but I'll check on that, too. Thanks for the ideas!
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