Sponsored by Epicur Pharma®
*Please note: this recording is not approved for CE credits
Corneal ulcerations are a common, painful, and potentially vision-threatening emergency in equine practice. This lecture will equip veterinary professionals with a practical, systematic approach to evaluating and managing the acute equine corneal ulceration eye. Participants will learn how to confidently differentiate between simple and complicated corneal ulcers, select the most effective diagnostic tests, and design stage-specific medical treatment plans.
Beyond traditional management and prognostics, this session explores the cutting edge of equine ophthalmology. We will dive into the latest minimally invasive adjunctive therapies—including corneal cross-linking (CXL), platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), and cold plasma therapy—and discuss how these innovative treatments are accelerating corneal healing, preserving globe integrity, and improving visual outcomes in horses.
Differentiate between simple and complicated equine corneal ulcers based on clinical presentation, depth of stromal involvement, and presence of potential infection or melting.
Outline a systematic diagnostic approach to the equine acute eye, and select appropriate diagnostic tests (e.g., fluorescein staining, cytology, and culture/sensitivity) to evaluate corneal ulcerations.
Formulate appropriate, stage-specific medical treatment plans for both simple and complicated corneal ulcers, including the use of topical antimicrobials, anti-collagenases, and cycloplegics.
Predict the general prognosis for visual outcome and globe retention based on the categorization and severity of the ulcer.
Dr. Michala de Linde Henriksen is an Associate Professor of Veterinary Ophthalmology at North Carolina State University, a position she has held since 2023.
She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the University of Copenhagen in 2005. Furthering her specialization, Dr. Henriksen completed a veterinary ophthalmology residency at the University of Florida from 2009 to 2012. This residency was concurrently combined with a PhD in equine ophthalmology from the University of Copenhagen, where her doctoral research concentrated on the inflammatory response of stromal abscesses in horses. Prior to joining the faculty at NC State, Dr. Henriksen built a robust academic and clinical career, serving at the University of Minnesota (2013–2017) and Colorado State University (2017–2023). Today, her primary research investigates inflammatory and infectious ocular diseases in veterinary medicine, with a particular and specialized focus on the treatment and pathology of equine corneal ulceration.
We have a full library of webinars and other resources to help you continue learning about the topics important to you, your practice, and your patients!