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Glaucoma with Descemet's membrane detachment in five horses
Michala de Linde Henriksen1, Noelle La Croix2, David A Wilkie3
1Comparative Ophthalmology Service, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, 1352 Boyd Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA.
Veterinary Ophthalmology
|May 19, 2016
Summary
Glaucoma in horses can be linked to Descemet's membrane detachment, a condition causing severe corneal edema. This finding suggests a new differential diagnosis for equine eye conditions with a poor prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Ophthalmology
- Equine Pathology
- Ocular Disease
Background:
- Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in horses.
- Descemet's membrane detachment (DM) is a condition affecting the inner layer of the cornea.
- The association between DM detachment and glaucoma in horses is not well-established.
Observation:
- This study investigated five horses with severe corneal edema and intraocular hypertension.
- Histopathological examination revealed Descemet's membrane detachment in all affected eyes.
- Axonal loss in the optic nerve, indicative of glaucoma, was confirmed via neurofilament immunostaining.
Findings:
- All five horses presented with unilateral, severe, diffuse corneal edema.
- Intraocular pressures ranged from 9 to 87 mmHg.
- Histopathology confirmed Descemet's membrane detachment (100%) and glaucoma (axonal loss).
- An avascular spindle cell proliferation was consistently observed between the detached DM and corneal stroma.
Implications:
- Descemet's membrane detachment should be considered a differential diagnosis for severe equine corneal edema.
- The presence of DM detachment in conjunction with glaucoma suggests a poor prognosis for ocular retention in horses.
- Further research is warranted to understand the pathogenesis and treatment of this condition.
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