Very Common
Less Common
OTHER DIAGNOSES CONSIDERED
Other conditions or ailments that might also need to be ruled out by a vet.
Diagnosis
Conditions or ailments that are the cause of a problem that you see - your observation.
Your vet may diagnose
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Eye, Eyelid or Third Eyelid
Summary
Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common cancer of the equine eye, and has a higher incidence at high elevations where the UV light index is high.
It often appears as red or pink looking growth or change in appearance of the eyelid, the third eyelid (at the inside corner of the eye), or on the eye itself on the limbus (where the cornea and conjunctiva that cover the white of the eye meet).
Appaloosa, pinto and paint breeds tend to develop SCC due to the lack of pigment around their eyes. SCC is also more prevalent in some draft breeds including Haflingers, and may have a genetic component.
If this cancer is identified early, local chemotherapy, cryotherapy, and surgery may eliminate it and save the eye. Surgical removal of the third eyelid can be curative and is a relatively simple procedure if performed early in the course of diseae.
However, once SCC is advanced, eye removal (enucleation) becomes the treatment of choice. Without appropriate treatment, spread to other local structures and distant organs is possible.
It often appears as red or pink looking growth or change in appearance of the eyelid, the third eyelid (at the inside corner of the eye), or on the eye itself on the limbus (where the cornea and conjunctiva that cover the white of the eye meet).
Appaloosa, pinto and paint breeds tend to develop SCC due to the lack of pigment around their eyes. SCC is also more prevalent in some draft breeds including Haflingers, and may have a genetic component.
If this cancer is identified early, local chemotherapy, cryotherapy, and surgery may eliminate it and save the eye. Surgical removal of the third eyelid can be curative and is a relatively simple procedure if performed early in the course of diseae.
However, once SCC is advanced, eye removal (enucleation) becomes the treatment of choice. Without appropriate treatment, spread to other local structures and distant organs is possible.
my vet's role
Diagnostics Used
These are tests that might be helpful to make this diagnosis or further characterize the condition.
Treatments May Include
These treatments might be used to help resolve or improve this condition.
Very Common
Less Common
Rare
PROGNOSIS AND RELEVANT FACTORS
Prognosis depends on whether or not the tumor has invaded the tissues behind the eyeball, and how aggressive the particular tumor is, which is often gauged by how rapidly it is changing and growing.Prognosis is fair to good with early treatment, but poor if allowed adequate time to spread.
Prognosis is comparatively more guarded if a significant portion of the eyelid tissue is involved, and eyelid reconstruction is necessary.
my role
I might observe
You might make these observations when a horse has this condition.
Very Common
Less Common
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Eye looks Cloudy or Gray, All or Part
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Eye is Tearing or Watering (in Adult)
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Lump, Bump, Growth on Eyelid
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Blue Eye, Iris is Bluish, Lacks Pigment
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Growth on Cornea, Clear Surface of Eye
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Eyeball Seems Enlarged
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Pink Membrane of Third Eyelid is Covering Eye(s)
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Watery Eye, Dry Nasal Tear Duct Opening
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Eye looks Blood Shot, White of Eye is Red
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Blue Eye, Iris is Bluish, Lacks Pigment
Rare
Skills I Might Need
I might need these skills if my horse has this diagnosis.
Very Common
Questions To Ask Your Vet:
- What are the chances of recurrence after treatment?
- What is the likelihood that this will occur in the other eye?
- Is removal of the third eyelid the best choice, any complications associated with this procedure?
Prevention
Monitor your horse's eyes carefully, paying special attention to the margin of the third eyelid.
Be especially vigilant with older horses, horses that live at high altitudes, and Appaloosas, American Paint and other horses that have poorly pigmented areas around their eyes. Use good quality fly masks with UV protection and reduce turnout in direct sunlight.
further reading & resources
Helpful Terms and Topics
Written, reviewed or shared by experts in equine health
Related References:
Higgins AJ, Snyder JR eds. The Equine Manual. 2nd Ed. Edinburgh: Elsevier Saunders 2006.