Genetic Testing as a Tool to Identify Horses with or at Risk for Ocular Disorders

Abstract

Advances in equine genetics and genomics resources have enabled the understanding of some inherited ocular disorders and ocular manifestations. These ocular disorders include congenital stationary night blindness, equine recurrent uveitis, multiple congenital ocular anomalies, and squamous cell carcinoma. Genetic testing can identify horses with or at risk for disease and thus can assist in clinical management. In addition, genetic testing can identify horses that are carriers and thus can inform breeding decisions. Use of genetic tests in management and breeding decisions should aid in reducing the incidence of these disorders and improving the outcomes for horses at highest risk.

Keywords: Genetics; Horses; Multiple congenital ocular anomalies; Night blindness; Ocular disorders; Recurrent uveitis; Squamous cell carcinoma.