Comparison of corneal degeneration and calcific band keratopathy from 2000 to 2013 in 69 horses.

OBJECTIVE: To compare signalment, presentation, treatment, and outcome in horses diagnosed with corneal degeneration (CD) or calcific band keratopathy (CBK) at a referral hospital.

ANIMALS STUDIED: Sixty-nine horses (87 eyes) diagnosed with either CD or CBK.

PROCEDURES: Medical records of horses diagnosed with CD or CBK at the University of California-Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (UCD-VMTH) between 2000 and 2013 were reviewed. Signalment, concurrent ophthalmic diagnoses, previous therapies, diagnostic tests, systemic diagnoses, treatment, follow-up, and outcomes were compared between horses diagnosed with CD or CBK. Age, breed, and gender were compared between the CD/CBK and UCD-VMTH populations.

RESULTS: Thirty-three horses (42 eyes) and 36 horses (45 eyes) were diagnosed with CD and CBK, respectively. Horses with CD or CBK were significantly older (P < 0.001) than the UCD-VMTH population with a median age of 16 or 18 years, respectively. Appaloosas were significantly overrepresented in the CD/CBK population (33%) in comparison with the UCD-VMTH population (1.8%, P < 0.001). Equine recurrent uveitis was concurrently diagnosed in 67% and 84% of horses with CD or CBK, respectively. Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) was diagnosed significantly less often in horses with CD vs. CBK (P = 0.03). Chemical chelation with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid was performed significantly less frequently in horses diagnosed with CD (7.1%) vs. CBK (31.1% of eyes) (P = 0.012).

CONCLUSIONS: Despite some differences, equine CD and CBK are relatively similar conditions and may represent a continuum of disease severity. Horses with PPID should be monitored closely for corneal disease including CBK.