Retrospective analysis of the clinical findings of 114 horses with eosinophilic keratoconjunctivitis

Abstract

Eosinophilic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) is an immune-mediated disease of the cornea and conjunctiva of the equine eye when eosinophil granulocytes migrate on the corneal and/or conjunctival surface. During the degranulation of these cells, toxic proteins are released which damage the epithelial cells of the cornea and conjunctiva. Although the exact aetiology and pathogenesis is still unknown, an underlying type IV hypersensitivity reaction is highly suspected.