Page 1173 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

PART 15

Cat with eye problems

57. The blind cat or cat with retinal

disease

Richard IE Smith

KEY SIGNS

● Dilated pupils and loss of vision.
● Cloudy, or red eye with loss of transparency.
● Retinal changes such as hyper- or hyporeflectivity, hemorrhage, haziness and
pigment changes.

MECHANISM?
● Blindness may be caused by a change in transparency of the ocular media (cornea, anterior
chamber, lens and vitreous), inflammation of the uvea (uveitis) causing retinal detachment, retinal
disease or problems that affect the central visual system. Sudden loss of vision is usually caused
by retinal detachment or a central visual disturbance.

WHERE?
Structures in the visual system that may be involved in blindness include:
● The ocular media (cornea, anterior chamber, lens and vitreous).
● Retina.
● Optic nerve.
● Midbrain.
● Visual cortex.

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