Companion Animals

Companion Horse Recurrent Uveitis Welfare

Management of equine recurrent uveitis and welfare implications of this painful and blinding eye condition.

Key Facts

Equine recurrent uveitis is the leading cause of blindness in horses worldwide
Repeated inflammatory episodes cause progressive damage to intraocular structures
Leptospira bacteria are associated with ERU in many cases
Surgical vitrectomy can reduce recurrence in some horses
Anti-inflammatory treatment during active episodes reduces long-term damage

Welfare Considerations

Recurrent uveitis causes progressive pain and vision loss, and prompt anti-inflammatory treatment of each episode is essential to slow the progression toward blindness.

What You Can Do

Seek veterinary assessment promptly for horses with eye pain or cloudiness
Discuss vitrectomy with an equine ophthalmologist for horses with frequent recurrence
Test horses with ERU for leptospira infection as a potential treatable cause