Silicone ocular prosthesis in horses: 11 cases (1983-1987)

Horses experience a number of ophthalmic diseases and injuries that may result in loss of function of the eye. In the treatment of end-stage ophthalmic disease or injury that precludes salvage of the eye, the use of an inert, silicone prosthetic implant is a cosmetic alternative to simple enucleation. Eleven horses treated either by enucleation and insertion of an intraorbital prosthesis (n = 9) or by evisceration and insertion of an intraocular prosthesis (n = 2) were evaluated for postoperative complications and for long-term cosmetic results. Of the 11 horses treated, complication rate was low; during hospitalization, 1 horse with an intraorbital implant developed a localized incisional infection that resolved in response to antimicrobial therapy. Nine horses were available for follow-up evaluation. Cosmetic appearance was rated as excellent in 5 horses and good in 4 horses. Insertion of an intraocular implant had the best cosmetic result. Complications were not reported by any owner or caretaker. Routine use of intraorbital and intraocular implants is encouraged because of their modest cost and ease of insertion.