September: One Eye on the Prize

Case of the Month: One Eye on the Prize

Sally is a 28-year old miniature horse.  It was noted on her annual wellness exam that there was inflammation in her eye that was not responding to treatment.  She was referred to a local veterinary ophthalmologist who diagnosed her with glaucoma, which is when inflammation in the eye results in very high intraocular pressures and significant pain.  Treatments to reduce the pressures were only partially successful, so an enucleation was recommended.  Sally was hauled into Swiftsure’s clinic facility for the procedure.  The affected eye was removed under standing sedation.  A sterile silicone prosthetic was placed within the orbit for a more aesthetic healing, prior to the surgical site being closed.  A compressive bandage was placed for several days following surgery, but her orbit healed very well.  The removal of the painful eye made Sally feel better immediately and she adapted to navigating her surroundings with one eye very well.