CLINICAL APPEARANCES, HEALING PATTERNS, RISK-FACTORS, AND OUTCOMES OFHORSES WITH FUNGAL KERATITIS - 53 CASES (1978-1996)

Objective-To compare initial clinical appearances, healing mechanisms, risk factors, and outcomes of horses with fungal keratitis. Design-Re trospective analysis. Animals-52 horses (53 eyes) with fungal keratiti s. Procedure-Medical records and clinical photographs of eyes were rev iewed. Keratomycoses were categorized on the basis of clinical appeara nce at initial examination and pattern of healing. Results-Five distin ct forms of mycotic keratitis were recognized. Of 53 affected eyes, 34 (64%) retained sight and had varying degrees of corneal scarring afte r treatment, 6 (11%) had a cosmetic appearance but were blind, and 13 (25%) were enucleated. Bacterial-like ulcers were the most frequent ty pe and the most difficult for predicting outcome. Eyes affected by sup erficial fungal keratitis were likely to be chronically infected and t o require debridement and extended treatment but usually healed with m inimal scarring. Keratomycosis with a surrounding furrow resulted in a grave prognosis. Aspergillus organisms were isolated from 9 of 10 suc h eyes. Cake-frosting material was a positive prognostic sign. Fungal corneal stromal abscesses tended to be caused by yeast. Clinical Impli cations-This information will aid practitioners in recognizing various forms of fungal keratitis and guide them when making therapeutic deci sions and prognoses for affected horses.