Injury to the equine eyelids are common. They often arise without any obvious circumstances.75% of the natural blink is performed by the upper eyelid. Wounds left to heal naturally result in distortion to the eyelid margin and often severe deformity which may result in eye loss.
This pony was sedated, the wound was clipped and prepared for surgical closure using topical chlorhexidine surgical scrub.
A supra-orbital nerve block was placed to desensitise the upper eyelid.
An auriculo-palpebral nerve block produces paralysis of the upper eyelid.
Local anaesthetic is placed on the surface of the cornea to desensitise it.
The wound was then flushed with sterile saline.
Fluorescein staining was used to determine whether there is any damage to the cornea & fortunately there wasn't in this case.
The wound edges were preserved & simple interrupted were used to bring the wound together.
