EOSINOPHILIC KERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS IN 3 HO RSES - SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT

Eosinophilic keratoconjunctivitis is a rare eye disease in horses. It is characterized by the appearance of reddish plaques on the conjunct iva and on the cornea. These plaques appear similar to granulation tis sue, presenting a rough surface which is partly covered by a caseous e xudate. The surrounding cornea may show edema, opacity and/or superfic ial and deep vascularization.The most successful treatment seems to be the surgical excision of the plaques followed by irradiation with a N eodym-YAG-Laser (8 to 9 Watt). Histological examination shows a high d egree of infiltration of subepitheliai cornea and conjunctiva by eosin ophilic granulocytes. Several neutrophils and macrophages are found in areas of ulcerated epithelium. Etiology and differential diagnoses co ncerning eosinophilic keratoconjunctivitis are discussed.