Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Corneal stromal abscessation in two horses treated with intracorneal and subconjunctival injection of 1% voriconazole solution.
- Journal:
- Veterinary ophthalmology
- Year:
- 2013
- Authors:
- Tsujita, Hiroki & Plummer, Caryn E
- Affiliation:
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
In this study, two horses with deep corneal stromal abscesses, which are serious infections in the eye, did not improve with regular treatments. They were given injections of a medication called voriconazole directly into the eye and around it. This treatment successfully cleared the abscess and any related inflammation, but there were some immediate side effects, like minor fractures in the cornea and swelling of the conjunctiva (the membrane covering the eye). Both horses also experienced some bleeding around the injection site, and there were some long-term changes in the eye's structure. Overall, this method appears to be a promising option for treating stubborn eye infections in horses, offering benefits like quicker recovery and less scarring compared to other treatments.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe and evaluate intrastromal and subconjunctival injection of voriconazole for the therapy of deep corneal stromal abscess (DSA) in horses. ANIMAL STUDIED: A retrospective clinical study describing the indications for intrastromal and subconjunctival voriconazole injection and the outcomes of this procedure in two eyes of two horses. PROCEDURE: The two horses in this study failed to respond to medical therapy. Treatment with intracorneal and subconjunctival administration of 1% voriconazole was performed in this study. RESULTS: Treatment with intracorneal and subconjunctival administration of 1% voriconazole was successful in resolving the corneal stromal abscess and the secondary uveitis. Immediate complications from the intracorneal injection occurred, which included corneal stromal lamellar fracture (2/2) and conjunctival hyperemia/chemosis (2/2). Also subconjunctival hemorrhage (1/2) due to the subconjuctival voriconazole injection occurred (2/2). Chronic complications of the intracorneal injection included mild-moderate corneal stromal fibrosis (2/2). CONCLUSIONS: This procedure may be an effective technique to treat refractory or relapsing DSA in horses. Intracorneal and subconjunctival voriconazole administration results in a visual and cosmetically acceptable globe. In equine DSA cases, the advantages of this technique compared with other medical and surgical approaches to this disease include shortened anesthesia times, minimal resultant scarring and shorter healing times, and lower cost of therapy.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23228013/