What is another name for periodic ophthalmia?

Periodic ophthalmia is commonly known as moon blindness. This term originates from the cyclical nature of the condition, which can flare up and then subside, often at intervals that might seem correlated with the lunar phases. Moon blindness is a specific type of uveitis affecting horses, leading to inflammation in the eye that can cause significant discomfort and even result in vision loss if not effectively managed. The condition is particularly noted in certain breeds and can be recurrent throughout a horse's life.

The other terms presented do not accurately describe periodic ophthalmia. Sun blindness refers to a different condition related to excessive sun exposure and does not align with the same cyclical nature or specific pathophysiology of periodic ophthalmia. Night blindness and day blindness are conditions that impact vision differently, often related to issues with light perception rather than inflammatory responses in the eye that characterize moon blindness. Thus, the identification of periodic ophthalmia as moon blindness is well-established within equine veterinary terminology.