Sore eye

[Stinkbomb]

Over the last couple of days Inkys eye has been a little runny when he has come in from the field. Last night i noticed that in the corner of it there was a little sore and it was slightly matted in the other corner. Now i am paranoid about eyes i must admit. I dont think its serious enough for the vet as he has no problems/ swelling/ itchiness etc with it. It is very windy where we are and i just think that the wind has got to his eyes making them runny and it has become a little chapped. I have been bathing it with cooled down boiled water only. Anyone any ideas on how i should carry on treating it? I just dont want it to get worse really. Heres a pic of what it looked like last night.

 

[kcgibson]

i think you are right, looks like its just weepy eyes due to the wind, my mum's horse gets quite runny eyes when it is windy whereas my horse isn't affected at all and they live in the same field!
I agree, its prob not worth a vet visit but do keep a close eye (no pun intended!) on it in case any redness or inflammation occurs. eyes are too important to risk losing so im very aware of problems with them too. I think you are doing the right thing just bathing the eye(s) with plain water, i really wouldnt use anything else in or around the eye without checking with a vet. even eye ointments you may have had in the past for the same/similar condition are not worth using as once they have been opened they have a very short shelf life. I would carry on with plain water (dont be tempted to put anythin in it either) and call the vet if a poblem develops. If your horse's skin becomes sore in the meantime due to the tears running down, you can apply vaseline to the skin below the eye to act as a barrier and prevent soreness, the tears will just roll down the vaseline (im a vet nurse so i know that vaseline is safe!). im sure once the wind settles, his eye will improve.

 

[kcgibson]

you could maybe bathe 2-3 times daily, just to keep the eye clear of gunky stuff in the corners. i wouldn't bathe any more freqently than that as you could end up making the eye sore from bathing

 

[merlinsquest]

Would it be worth putting a fly mask on to keep the flies off and also to deflect the wind slightly.

If I was sure there was not any chance of an injury I would put Brolene ointment in the eye (human stuff).