Dennis E. Brooks, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVO
Dennis E. Brooks, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVO, is a professor of ophthalmology at the University of Florida. He has lectured extensively, nationally and internationally, in comparative ophthalmology and glaucoma, and has more than 140 refereed publications. He is a recognized authority on canine glaucoma, and infectious keratitis, corneal transplantation, and glaucoma of horses.
Articles by Dennis E. Brooks, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVO
Corneal Ulcers
January 01, 2011
I was wondering about corneal ulcers in horses. I have a 30-year-old horse that has lost eyesight in one eye from age, and I am treating him now for a corneal ulcer. I read your article on eye problems (November 2010 issue) and was wondering what med Read More
Clogged Tear Duct
April 01, 2007
What treatments are available for a clogged tear duct in my horse's eye? Read More
Corneal Dystrophy
September 01, 2005
I own a 12-year-old foundation-bred Appaloosa gelding. Five years ago he was diagnosed with corneal dystrophy, which seems to be extremely stable (it hasn't flared up in more than four years). The surface of the cornea has a slightly rough Read More
Corneal Endothelial Degeneration
August 01, 2004
My horse has corneal endothelial degeneration. My veterinarian and I have been using a "control" schedule for some time, but I would like some information about the condition. Janine
The corne Read More
The Whites of Their Eyes
May 01, 2003
I have a 3-year-old filly which has prominent white around her eyes. Most farriers and several others tell me this is a sign of madness in a horse. I always thought that this was an old wives' tale, but this particular filly does appear to b Read More
Caring for a Newly Blind Horse
April 01, 2003
Q. We have a 19-year-old Appaloosa gelding that is going blind fast from a genetic disease. He is not coping with it well; he stumbles around, runs into things, leaves the herd, then gets confused and panics. Any advice or Read More
Retina and Optic Nerve Disease
December 01, 2002
The retina is one of the most metabolically active tissues in the body. It consists of 10 layers of cells and nerve fibers. Nine layers compose the sensory retina, with a final layer, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), present next to the Read More
Soothing Itchy Eyes
November 01, 2002
My 20-year-old Appaloosa mare seems to have increasingly puffy, swollen eyes each spring and summer. Read More
Equine Glaucoma
November 01, 2002
The glaucomas are a group of diseases resulting from alterations in the formation and drainage of aqueous humor (clear eye fluid), which causes an increase in intraocular (within the eye) pressure (IOP) above that compatible with normal function Read More
Understanding Equine Recurrent Uveitis (ERU)
October 01, 2002
Horses exhibit eye pain for a variety of reasons and to varying degrees. As we've discussed previously, the most common cause is corneal ulceration. In this article, we'll discuss uveitis, which requires a very different kind of treatment than Read More
Cataracts and Lens Problems
September 01, 2002
Everyone has heard of cataracts. We think of them as affecting older humans, and sometimes they are found in children and young adults. Yet, cataracts also are seen in horses. A cataract is an opacity or clouding of the lens (a large transparent Read More
The Dreaded Corneal Stromal Abscess
August 01, 2002
The corneal stromal abscess is a very serious and potentially vision-threatening condition that can follow apparently minor corneal ulceration in the horse (see Figures 1 and 4 on page 56). They can be infected and cause severe eye pain. Read More
Eye Removal
August 01, 2002
Q: I was just informed that my 2-year-old Quarter Horse needs to have his right eye removed. He is a rescue that I received through the court, and when I got him he was blind in his right eye. My veterinarian says that it looks Read More
Corneal Disease
July 01, 2002
Corneal diseases are collectively termed keratopathies. Keratopathies can be ulcerated or non-ulcerated, and infected or non-infected. Keratopathies can be rather benign diseases, or can be so severe that they result in corneal scarring and Read More
Fungal Ulcers in the Equine Eye
June 01, 2002
Fungi are microscopic plants that lack chlorophyll; they are commonly found in the hay, grasses, shavings, straw, and dust of a horse's environment. They normally live in balance with bacteria on the surface of the horse cornea and conjunctiva. Read More
Bacterial Corneal Ulcers
May 01, 2002
The cornea is a thin and transparent, yet extremely strong tissue that supplies a majority of the eye's refractive, or light-bending, power. It is one of the most sensitive tissues in the body. The thickness of the equine cornea is about 1.5 mm, Read More
Eyelid Problems
April 01, 2002
This month we continue our in-depth look at the equine eye by focusing on eyelids. Without the eyelid to protect the sensitive structures of the eye, the horse would go blind very quickly. Therefore, even small injuries are important and require Read More
Common Foal Eye Problems
March 01, 2002
The foal's eyes are fully developed at birth. Disorders of the foal eye might be noted at birth, or they can be inherited or acquired after birth. Low tear film production, a round pupil, reduced corneal sensation, and a temporary lack of some Read More
Look Into His Eyes
February 01, 2002
It is important to approach each eye problem in the horse in an ordered and systematic manner, and also as a medical emergency. Painful eye conditions in horses need thorough evaluation for corneal ulcers, corneal abscesses, and uveal Read More
Eye Anatomy and Physiology
January 01, 2002
The basics of equine eye anatomy and physiology with glossary terms Read More
Equine Corneal Problems: Wait and See Will Not Work
August 01, 2001
A corneal ulcer (ulcerative keratitis) is the most serious eye disease that veterinarians treat. Defined as a lesion in which the outer layer and some of the middle layer of the cornea have been lost, even simple ulcers can quickly progress to Read More
