Runny eye problem

[Marsha Cassada]

Back in October, my horse injured his eye. We suspect he got some hay in it. I rinsed it good, which usually does the trick, but it kept swelling and running so took him to vet. He dyed the eye and saw the injury, but the cornea wasn't affected. I used a cortizone ointment twice a day for 3 days. Didn't go away. Saw a different vet in November. He suspected allergies. Saw a different one in December. We can't figure out why the tears don't drain down the nostril instead of down the side of his face. He checked to make sure the duct was clear. No problem there.

During the recent cold weather, the tearing froze all around his eyes. There were frozen drops on his eyelashes. Sometimes the sides of his face are soaking wet from tearing. That vet prescribed an ointment twice a day for two weeks. It is still tearing, and not running out his nose but still down his face. I am about ready to take him to an ophthalmic specialist. His eyes don't appear swollen any more, but I get the feeling they are tender. I've tried leaving a fly mask on him and keeping his forelock braided up. Actually both eyes seem affected. There is a little matter in the eye, but the main thing is the constant tearing. This is NOT normal for him. I've had horses before with messy eyes. Do you think I'm right to be concerned? Or is it just "something in the air"? He is 14.

Anyone have experience with this?

 

[Marty]

Did any of the vets actually run a tube up there to unblock the tear duct?

 

[Ellen]

I was just going to ask what Marty did, but what have they had you treat him with specifically?

 

[Marsha Cassada]

Yes, they ran the tube up the duct. It was clear.

I've gone through 3 tubes of the 3in1 ointment and am now on the second tube of Neomycin and Polymyxin 8 sulfates and Dexamethasone ophthalmic ointment. This is day 3 of the second round of that, and when I went out to treat him this morning, his eyes seem better. So maybe it is finally working.

One vet suggested it might be an infection/irritation in the lower eye lash follicles.

He is his onery, feisty self now. He gets really grumpy when he doesn't feel his best.