Causes of Moon Blindness
January 23, 2011
Learn more about this auto-immune disease commonly referred to as moon blindness that affects horses’ eyes from the American Association of Equine Practitioners.
Question:
What exactly is “moon blindness,” and what causes it?
Answer:
“Moon blindness” is another term for Equine Recurrent Uveitis, called ERU for short. ERU is a disease seen only in horses. It is an auto-immune disease, meaning the immune system, rather than defending the horse from foreign invaders like bacteria or fungi, attacks the inside of the eye. Although there is a tremendous amount of research going on about ERU, no one is sure of the exact initiating cause. There is some evidence that previous infection with the leptospira bacteria can lead to ERU, but other causes have been implicated, including trauma, flu virus, parasites and strangles.
Regardless of the initial cause of ERU, the end result is the same: self-perpetuating immune system attack of the inside of the eye that can lead to blindness. The most common ways that ERU causes blindness are cataract formation and retinal detachment. Early detection of the disease is key for successful management, although some horses continue to deteriorate despite the best treatments available.
The clinical signs of ERU can be very subtle in the early stages (cloudiness or mild tearing) or very dramatic (severe ocular pain, squinting and blindness). Any horse with an abnormal-appearing eye (cloudy, glassy, red) or signs of eye pain (squinting, tearing) or changes in vision, should be examined by a veterinarian.
-Dr. Amber Labelle a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners
Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
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9 Comments on “Causes of Moon Blindness”
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July 21st, 2011 at 8:57 am
Hello
I am looking for more info on this i just got a horse
and 10 days later had the vet out because of her eye and
the vet said it was uveitis.
i just need to know what else i can do to help her
and everyone says to get rid of her help
thanks christina croson
November 3rd, 2011 at 8:45 am
I found a mask that blocks ultra violate rays helps alot too I have a guardian mask and I just purchased a new mask from naghorseranch.com look them both up
November 26th, 2012 at 1:16 pm
Nov. 23rd. 2012 I have a Appaloosa 13 yrs. old at age 11 I was tlode that he had uveitis (moon blindness) He adjusted very well. I still ride hhim I’am his eyes now. He loves me and trusts me so he doesn’t refuse anything I ask of him. He still loves to run and my grand daughters still ride him too. I use a mask also and it really helps with the tearing. He is fat and happy and very useful still used for kiddy rides and lessons He’s great!!!!!! Horses like Shadow are just disabled NOT USELESS !!!!!! Love them and care for them!!!!! Thanks VedaAnne
January 14th, 2013 at 2:50 pm
I have had several horses with this condition. Give them Bute when they have an episode and eye ointment from the vet. I keep a fly mask that blocks the uv rays even in the winter. It helps tremendously.
February 16th, 2013 at 1:51 pm
A number of years ago I became the manager for a horse boarding operation. During that time I bought an American Paint horse from a gal, very cheap because she had Equine Recurrent Uveitis. I researched ERU and since I really liked that horse the first time I saw her, I figured I still would like the horse and try to give it a lot of love and the best care possible.
The previous owner told me that she had been giving this horse B vitamins and it seemed to prevent flair ups, so I did just that and in the 2 years I had her, I never had to call the Vet for any ERU flare ups.
I was quite amazed knowing that not all “home” remedies can have such great results. Unfortunately now I can not remember which B vitamin, or combination of B vitamins, or how much I used back then, however I believe that it would very beneficial if this remedy was researched as a possible treatment of ERU.
As with all medicines, standard or home remedy, some may work with varying efficiency on different horses and might even be an effective treatment for some horses, but it may not work at all on others. Any possible treatment or cure for ERU should be seriously investigated and hopefully an answer will be found quickly to prevent further suffering.
April 28th, 2013 at 5:45 pm
my horse is going on 23 years old and i was at my barn today and noticed that he wasn’t acting himself. im only 14 years old but i know a lot about horses because they are like my whole entire life and i want to be an equine veterinarian when i get older, but anyway, when he finally came up to me, i noticed his left eye is fogged over and he doesnt do anything if i flick at it or wave my hand over it. i was afraid that something might have happened and he has gone blind. his symtoms are, watering of his eye, foggy blue color, doesnt respond, and doesnt let u touch it. i am wondering if moon blindness might be what he has. the vet cant come till tomorrow but i am really worried about him. this is the first thing i thought of because he is a Tennessee walking horse and moon blindness is common in them. please help me to understand what is happening. i have had him since i was 3 and i am really worried about him. thx
May 13th, 2013 at 8:17 pm
My horse has ERU, he is an Appaloosa. You should keep his eye out of the sun as much as possible. Talk to your vet first, but I suggest asking about putting your horse on an aspirin regiment.
May 13th, 2013 at 8:20 pm
I am only 14, but I do know plenty about this because my horse has it. He is a perfectly happy horse. Dusty still shows in Western,, Trail, English, Contesting, and even Jumping.
June 6th, 2013 at 2:52 pm
Does anyone know if a horse has moonblindness, do you have to have his eye surgically removed?