Ocular examination should be performed in a dark room with a focal bright light to compensate for the reflective quality of the cornea. The eyelids, especially the margins, should be examined with magnification to ensure that no defects are contributing to the corneal ulcer. Incomplete or weak palpebral reflexes should be documented because they can impair corneal healing due to improper distribution and the washing effect of the tear film. The cornea should be closely evaluated from several angles for clarity, luster, and defects. If the cornea appears dull, a Schirmer tear test is warranted to detect keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). Schirmer tear test results of 15 mm/min or less with accompanying clinical signs (conjunctivitis, superficial corneal blood vessels, and/or mild corneal edema) are suggestive of a tear production disorder.15 If a low Schirmer tear test result is detected, it is recommended to recheck tear production after resolution of the corneal ulcer in order to confirm a diagnosis of KCS. Although KCS is very uncommon in horses, it may be a significant contributing factor in indolent ulcers. Corneal neovascularization can help establish a timeline from injury to examination: budding of blood vessels at the limbus takes approximately 4 days, and blood vessels migrate toward the corneal ulcer at a maximum rate of 1 mm/d. Although indolent ulcers may initially appear similar to simple ulcers, gentle debridement with a cotton applicator after application of topical anesthesia can reveal a significantly larger superficial corneal defect (double or triple the size of the ulcer’s original visible area); simple ulcers will reveal minimal corneal epithelial debridement (1 to 2 mm).