Common Horse Eye Problems

Eye problems that are common in horses include torn eyelids, glaucoma, cataracts, entropion, melanoma and corneal ulcers. Identify common eye problems, which need to be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible, with helpful information from a farm manager and on-site veterinarian in this free video on horses.

A horse's vision is very important because horses are fly animals and they detect something that is scary for them, they run first and look later. This is a very important survival tool for a horse. Problems with the horse's eye need to be diagnosed by a Vet immediately upon seeing that there's a problem. Things like torn eyelids can be taken cared of very easily. The horse's eyelid tends to sooth you very well and heal cleanly. Glaucoma can be a problem with horses and that involves increase pressure in they eye and can cause loss of the eye if not treated appropriately. Cataracts are present in horses like they are in people. Entropion is a condition of a youngful where the eyelid rolls back. It can very basically be surgically fixed by a doctor. Melanoma is such a common in gray horses can also be seen around the eye. These benign tumors need to be monitored closely. Corneal ulcers can also occur in the horse's eye and may need to be diagnosed by a Vet. Special stains and other tools to look closely into the horse's eye as to see the degree of damage is necessary. Trauma to the eye being physical injury from a kick from another horse, a spin pose, scratching of the eye is something that must be seen by a Vet in order to keep the eye healthy after an injury. There are horses that have eye problems who have had to loose one eye and blind horses that are able to continue with a happy life. However, a young horse that is going blind will be very dangerous because if you've not established a certain routine or familiarity of pastures for that horse, it can be very dangerous.