A new review paper has highlighted the increasing interest in cell and gene therapy as emerging treatment options for equine ocular disease, an area of veterinary medicine where conventional therapies can be limited or challenging.
Equine eye conditions are common and can be difficult to manage, particularly immune-mediated diseases such as equine recurrent uveitis and immune-mediated keratitis, as well as ulcerative and infectious corneal disease. Drawing on advances already made in human medicine, researchers are now exploring whether similar approaches could improve outcomes for horses.
The review outlines how gene therapy is already established in human ophthalmology, with several approved treatments in clinical use, and how veterinary research is beginning to follow a similar path. In equine practice, cell-based therapies most commonly involve multipotent stromal cells, also known as mesenchymal stem cells, which are widely studied for their immunomodulatory and regenerative properties.
The authors summarise the current evidence base for these techniques in horses, including laboratory studies and clinical case series, and explain the scientific principles behind both cell and gene therapies. They also draw comparisons with human ophthalmology to highlight potential future directions for equine care.
However, the review makes clear that significant research gaps remain. Despite growing clinical interest and use, there is a lack of well-controlled in vivo studies assessing safety, optimal routes of administration and true treatment effectiveness in horses.
Overall, the paper suggests that equine ocular disease represents a promising area for advanced biological therapies, but stresses the need for robust, controlled research before these approaches can be widely adopted with confidence in everyday veterinary practice.
