"Dixie Carter" - 5 year old Breeding Stock Paint Mare

Dixie Carter sustained an injury to her right eye.  She was noted to be holding the closed and was sensitive to light.  The eye was examined using an ophthalmoscope to assess the surface and interior structures of the eye.  A dye called Fluorscein stain was applied to the eye.  If trauma occurs to the cornea (the clear glassy surface of the eye), the dye will be visible.  The stain revealed a corneal ulcer (an abrasion to the surface of the eye). 

The eye was treated with topical antibiotic ophthalmic ointment and systemic anti-inflammatories (Banamine), and Dixie Carter was placed in a fly mask to protect her from the wind and light.  The treatment was noted to alleviate Dixie Carter's symtoms initially, but they did not completely resolve.

A consult by boarded veterinary ophthalmologist Dr. Kirsten Steele of Eye Care for Animals was performed.  Dr. Steele noted the initial ulcer as well as multiple new surface abrasions.  She suspected that Dixie Carter had tiny foreign bodies in her eyelid that were causing the abrasions to the cornea.  Using a scalpel she roughened the surface of the eyelid (the conjunctiva) and the cornea itself to help remove any of the tiny foreign bodies.

Because Dixie Carter required multiple medications in her eye every two to three hours, it was recommended a subpalpebral lavage system (SPL) should be placed to allow for easier administration.  An SPL is an indwelling administration set placed under the eyelid and fed through a tube that can be easily braided into the horse's mane to protect it from getting caught on anything.

The skin above the eye was clipped and scrubbed.  A local anesthetic was injected into the skin to numb the eyelid and reduce movement during the procedure.  The needle is inserted under the eyelid, and the tubing was fed through the needle.

Dixie Carter was placed in a fly mask and administered her medications.  The SPL allowed her to be treated frequently without stressing her and causing pain to the eye.