A case of lipogranulomatous conjunctivitis in a horse

To describe a case of lipogranulomatous conjunctivitis in a horse.

A client-owned 12-year-old Standardbred gelding presenting with chronic conjunctivitis and palpebral masses.

Complete ophthalmic examination, surgical excision, histopathology, and bacterial culture of biopsy samples were performed.

Upper and lower eyelids of both eyes were affected, with multiple yellow-to-white nodules on the palpebral conjunctiva, adjacent to the eyelid margin. Nodule removal was achieved via partial tarsal plate excision. Histopathological examination revealed granulomatous inflammation and large droplets of presumed free lipid in the conjunctival lamina propria. The animal was diagnosed with lipogranulomatous conjunctivitis. No postoperative ocular discomfort was observed for months; however, 3 years later, new conjunctival nodules were noticed, requiring a second surgical procedure on three of the eyelids. Transient entropion in the left lower eyelid was observed 2 months after the second surgery, and no recurrence of conjunctival nodules was observed after 18 months of follow-up.

To our knowledge, this is the first report of lipogranulomatous conjunctivitis in horses.