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Your horse’s left eye has a discharge and seems sensitive to light. He won’t open it all the way and doesn’t want you to check it too closely. How can you find out what’s wrong, and how can the problem be treated effectively?

A veterinarian should always be asked to examine eye problems in horses to prevent complications including possible loss of sight in the affected eye. Veterinarians can diagnose infections or the presence of foreign bodies in a horse’s eye, but the procedure can be difficult and may require that the horse be lightly sedated. Corneal stains can show scratches or embedded objects, and cultures can specify the cause of an infection but may require a week or more to provide a firm diagnosis.

A new tool developed for use in small animals may make equine eye exams easier and more sensitive. Developed by a veterinary ophthalmologist at Cornell University, the corneal confocal microscope is a hand-held device that is helpful in imaging the cornea. This outer tissue layer of the horse’s eye can be examined in detail throughout its one-millimeter thickness, allowing a veterinarian to see tiny foreign objects and also distinguish various infections. With an immediate and specific diagnosis, treatment can begin right away, getting your horse back on track more quickly and minimizing the time required for healing.

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