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Equine Recurrent Uveitis is a disease of the eye which affects all equines, domesticated or otherwise.  It is also known as ERU, Periodic Ophthalmia, Recurrent Iridocyclitis but more commonly called Moon Blindness. Equine Recurrent Uveitis can affect all horses, but seems to be most prevalent in the Appaloosa breed.  In fact  Appaloosas are eight times more likely to suffer with ERU than other breeds, and four times more likely to go blind as a result.

Moon Blindness was named because it was thought to have links with the lunar cycle, but is actually a recurring inflamation of parts of the eye that causes symptoms such as:

• Conjunctivitis
• Photo-sensitivity
• Increased lubrication of the eye
• Severe pain

Untreated it causes extreme pain and blindness, as well as leading to other eye conditions such as Glaucoma.

Treatments so far are not able to cure the disease itself, but can alleviate the symptoms of a flare-up.  These treatments include topical steroid creams applied to the eye itself (which can be tricky!) and topical and/or intra-venous anti-inflammatory drugs.  Atropine may also be prescribed to prevent the iris sticking to the lens, but Atropine has proven to cause colic in the majority of longer term treatments, so is prescribed only for a few days at most.

If you need more information, see Equine Recurrent Uveitis

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