Bulging Eye (Buphthalmos and Exophthalmos) in Horses
Key takeaways
Enlarged eyes in horses can be caused by a number of different underlying conditions, including facial injury, glaucoma, infections, and cysts.
- Enlargement can be either exophthalmos (regular size globe pushed forward) or buphthalmos (enlarged globe positioned normally)
- Ocular bulging is a medical emergency as it can be a symptom of a potentially life threatening condition
- Swelling can vary from mild to extreme and can be bilateral or unilateral
- Horses presenting with exophthalmos or buphthalmos undergo a number of diagnostic tests, including blood work, physical and ophthalmic examination, and diagnostic imaging
- Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include surgery, topical antibiotic treatment, and anti-inflammatory medication
- Prognosis varies greatly depending on the cause
Connect with a vet to get more information about your pet’s health.
A closer look: Bulging Eye (Buphthalmos and Exophthalmos) in Horses
Enlargement of the eye can be either buphthalmos or exophthalmos.
Buphthalmos: occurs when the animal’s eyeball is positioned normally but is enlarged as a result of excessive intraocular pressure, caused by glaucoma. The amount of enlargement can vary.
Exophthalmos: occurs when the animal’s globe is of a regular size and is pushed forward. Exophthalmos generally only presents unilaterally.
Bulging eye is a medical emergency requiring urgent veterinary investigation.
Possible causes
Risk factors
Bulging eyes are a medical emergency as the symptoms can indicate the presence of life-threatening conditions. Prompt medical attention is the only way to increase the chance of not losing the eye permanently or succumbing to the cause of the problem.
Testing and diagnosis
Bulging eye is usually self-evident. Several diagnostic tests are performed to determine the underlying condition, including:
- Physical examination
- Blood work
- Diagnostic imaging (such as x-ray, ultrasound, MRI and/or CT)
- Ophthalmic examination
Treatment of enlarged and bulging eyes depends on the underlying condition causing the symptom. Potential treatment options include:
- Surgical removal: surgical removal of the globe (enucleation). If a mass behind the eye is responsible for the eye bulging, surgery may be required to additionally remove this mass.
- Antibiotics:
- Tarsorrhaphy: in some cases, treatment can consist of a temporary tarsorrhaphy, a surgical procedure that consists of suturing the eyelids together to protect the cornea during recovery.
- Anti-inflammatories
Similar symptoms
Both buphthalmos and exophthalmos are recognizable symptoms that are rarely mistaken for others.
