Eye Infections in Horses

Eye infections in horses are common but require prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent permanent injury or blindness. Eye infections are caused by various bacterial, viral, fungal, and allergen irritants. The two most common infections are conjunctivitis and equine recurrent uveitis, which cause uncomfortable symptoms in the eye. A vet can diagnose the cause of your horse's eye infection through a physical examination, culturing, and sometimes an MRI or CT scan. If you catch and treat an eye infection early, the prognosis is typically optimistic but dependent on the stage of the infection and its cause. 

What Are Eye Infections?

An eye infection is a disease of the eye caused by harmful bacteria, fungi, or viruses. Horses can develop eye infections like conjunctivitis, and equine recurrent uveitis (ERU), sometimes caused by injury to the eye or exposure to allergens like pollen and dust. Conjunctivitis causes the mucus membrane around the eye to swell and become red. ERU results in recurrent episodes of eye inflammation and is the most common cause of blindness in horses.1

Symptoms of Eye Infections in Horses

There are a variety of symptoms that point to eye infections in horses. An untreated eye infection is very painful for your horse and can lead to complications. Visit your vet right away if you suspect something is wrong with your horse's eye.

Symptoms of Eye Infections in Horses

There are a variety of symptoms that point to eye infections in horses. An untreated eye infection is very painful for your horse and can lead to complications. Visit your vet right away if you suspect something is wrong with your horse's eye.