Nonclassical ultrasonographic presentation of retinal detachment: Blindness in a 21‐year‐old gelding with equine recurrent uveitis

Summary

A 21‐year‐old gelding, with a history of equine recurrent uveitis, was presented for a chronic nonhealing corneal ulcer. Ophthalmic examination of the right eye revealed a deep corneal ulcer, with the presence of corneal neovascularisation, mild diffuse corneal oedema and hypopyon. Additionally, the gelding was blind from the affected eye. The gelding did not respond to mydriatic agents, making it impossible to examine the fundus with an ophthalmoscope. Ocular ultrasound revealed the presence of hyperechoic strands throughout the vitreous chamber. A diagnosis of retinal detachment was made. The typical ultrasonographic appearance of retinal detachment is a characteristic V‐shaped or ‘seagull wing’ pattern. Even though this was not the case in this patient, the ultrasonographic abnormalities in combination with the blindness and the history of recurrent uveitis resulted in retinal detachment being the most likely diagnosis. An enucleation was performed. Histopathology of the eye revealed corneal rupture into the anterior chamber, mycotic suppurative stromal keratitis and retinal atrophy with retinal detachment. This case highlights the value of ultrasonographic examination of the posterior part of the eye as an important diagnostic tool during ophthalmologic evaluation. Additionally, it illustrates that retinal detachment may not always present with its characteristic clinical appearance.