Page 1200 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

1192 PART 15 CAT WITH EYE PROBLEMS

QUICK REFERENCE SUMMARY
Diseases causing a red coloration of the globe
WHERE?

BULBAR CONJUNCTIVA (THE CONJUNCTIVA COVERING THE GLOBE)
METABOLIC
● Hemorrhage associated with bleeding disorders (p 1197)
Bleeding disorders can cause echymoses in the conjunctiva, and in severe cases hyphema. Other
signs such as oral hemorrhages, skin hemorrhages and malena may be present.
INFLAMMATION

● Uveitis*** (p 1198)
Appears uni- or bilaterally as a cloudy eye with a red appearance from inflamed, congested con-
junctiva. Signs of inflammation are present within the eye, including hypopyon (cloudy anterior
chamber), and swelling and color change of the iris. Pupils will be miotic, and the eye is soft.
Sometimes there is anisocoria (unequal-sized pupils) and dyscoria (abnormal-shaped pupil).
● Glaucoma* (p 1199)
A red globe caused by engorged episcleral vessels. In chronic cases the globe is enlarged (buph-
thalmos). Other changes may be present in the eye such as cloudy cornea, uveitis and cataract for-
mation.
INFECTIOUS
● Acute infectious conjunctivitis*** (p 1197)
Occurs most frequently in young cats. Herpesvirus and Chlamydophila felis may cause unilateral or
bilateral signs, with chemotic (edema) and red (hyperemic) conjunctiva. Ocular discharge is first
serous then rapidly mucopurulent. In Chlamydophila felis infection, the redness (hyperemia) is not
as intense and the respiratory signs milder than in herpetic conjunctivitis. Mycoplasma produces
mild inflammation and serous discharge, and is readily responsive to most antibiotics topically.
TRAUMA
● Hemorrhage associated with trauma*** (p 1197)
Ocular trauma frequently results in conjunctival, subconjunctival or retrobulbar hemorrhage.
There is usually a history of trauma to the head or eye. Focal or diffuse hemorrhage may be evi-
dent between the conjunctiva and sclera (subconjunctival).

WHERE?
ANTERIOR CHAMBER
INFLAMMATION
● Hyphema associated with inflammation* (p 1200)
Hemorrhage in the anterior chamber may occur secondary to trauma, anterior uveitis, neoplasia or
bleeding disorders. Usually accumulations of blood and protein occur within the anterior chamber,
and may be attached to the iris or free within the aqueous.