Factors Associated With Corneal Ulceration in Horses: 420 Cases (2020-2023).

Wind speed, temperature, male sex, ulcer depth, uveitis, and older age significantly influence equine corneal ulcer outcomes.

This retrospective study examined environmental and patient-level risk factors associated with corneal ulceration in 420 horses presenting to equine emergency veterinarians in the Western United States between May 2020 and November 2023. Corneal ulceration was confirmed via clinical examination and fluorescein staining. Using Poisson regression modeling, the investigators identified that increased average wind speed (p < 0.01) and increased average temperature (p = 0.08) were significantly associated with higher rates of corneal ulceration, suggesting seasonal and geographic environmental influences on ocular disease prevalence. Male horses were significantly more likely to develop corneal ulcers compared to females (p = 0.004), indicating a potential sex-related predisposition. Regarding outcomes, factors associated with an increased risk of enucleation included older age (p < 0.0001), greater ulcer depth (p < 0.0001), left eye involvement (p < 0.05), and concurrent uveitis (p = 0.002). The association of uveitis with enucleation underscores the importance of early identification and aggressive management of secondary intraocular inflammation. The laterality finding regarding left eye involvement warrants further investigation. Clinically, these findings suggest that equine practitioners in high-wind, high-temperature regions should maintain heightened vigilance for corneal disease, particularly in older male horses. Early intervention targeting ulcer depth progression and uveitis management may be critical in reducing enucleation rates. Limitations include the retrospective design and geographic specificity to the Western United States, which may limit generalizability.

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