True or false: Surgical dehiscence is not uncommon after ocular surgery in horses.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not enough data
• D. Only with lacerations

Answer: (A)

Not uncommon is the reality after ocular surgery in horses. The horses’ eye sits in a highly active, large animal where rubbing, blinking, and facial movements continually place mechanical forces on surgical incisions. Periorbital tissues heal under tension, and edema or discharge can pull on sutures, increasing the risk that a wound will separate. Environmental factors—dust, flies, and the need to keep the area clean—also raise the chance of infection and healing disturbance. Because of these horse-specific challenges, dehiscence can occur even with careful technique. To mitigate this, surgeons aim for tension-free closures, robust suturing, and protective postoperative strategies (such as protective measures or temporary stabilization) along with strict aftercare and monitoring.