Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Ectopic cilium in seven horses.
- Journal:
- Veterinary ophthalmology
- Year:
- 2005
- Authors:
- Hurn, Simon et al.
- Affiliation:
- Melbourne Veterinary Referral Center · Australia
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
In a study involving seven adult horses, a condition called ectopic cilium (an abnormal eyelash growing in the wrong place) was found and treated with surgery. These horses showed signs like squinting, eye discharge, and inflammation of the eye. During the eye exam, a single abnormal eyelash was seen in the upper eyelid, but none of the horses had corneal ulcers. Most of the horses did well after the surgery, although one horse had the abnormal eyelash grow back about six weeks later. This research highlights the significance of ectopic cilia as a cause of eye problems in horses.
Abstract
Ectopic cilium was diagnosed by slit-lamp biomicroscopy and treated surgically by transconjunctival excision in seven adult horses. All cases presented with a common history of blepharospasm, ocular discharge and keratitis. Ophthalmic examination revealed a single translucent cilium in the upper eyelid palpebral conjunctiva, emerging approximately 5 mm from the eyelid margin. Corneal ulceration was not observed in any horse. Most horses responded well to transconjunctival surgical excision. There was recurrence of ectopic cilium 6 weeks postoperatively in one horse. Histopathologic examination was performed in two cases and confirmed the diagnosis of ectopic cilium in one horse. This is the first publication of ectopic cilia in horses and emphasizes their importance as etiology for epiphora, blepharospasm and keratitis.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15910374/