Inflammatory stromal keratopathies: medical management of stromal keratomalacia, stromal abscesses, eosinophilic keratitis, and band keratopathy in the horse.
This article discusses the diagnosis and medical treatment of stromal keratomalacia or "melting ulcers," stromal abscesses, eosinophilic keratitis (EK), and calcific band keratopathy. These are common and important inflammatory keratopathies of the equine corneal stroma. Keratomalacia and stromal abscesses are associated with infection, leukocytic invasion of the stroma, and loss of tissue and tear film proteinase homeostasis. Eosinophils infiltrate the stroma in response to unknown stimuli in EK. Calcium is deposited in the stroma and epithelium secondary to chronic equine recurrent uveitis in calcific band keratopathy. They are all associated with varying degrees of iridocyclitis.
Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, 2015 SW 16 Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA. brooksd@mail.vetmed.ufl.edu
Dennis E
DE
Brooks
D000038:Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000473:pathology; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D006736:Horses; D007634:Keratitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary