Page 1202 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

1194 PART 15 CAT WITH EYE PROBLEMS

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TRAUMA

● Traumatic hyphema* (p 1203)
Blunt or penetrating trauma to the head and eye or may cause hemorrhage in the vitreous. The eye
appears red through the pupil. There may or may not be hemorrhage in the anterior chamber or
conjunctival hemorrhage.
WHERE?

RETINA
ANOMALY
● Tigroid fundus*** (p 1204)
The appearance of a red fundus reflection can be normal in color-dilute cats such as Siamese
and Color Points. This is due to lack of pigment in the retinal pigment epithelium and conse-
quent red reflection from choroidal blood vessels (tigroid fundus). Where there is no tapetum
the whole of the fundus will appear red. Where there is a tapetum, then only the non-tapetum
will appear red.
METABOLIC
● Hypertensive retinopathy*** (p 1204)
Usually occurs in older cats with a history of sudden blindness. The eye seen through the pupil
may appear red from hemorrhages in the pre-retina. Focal hemorrhages are seen along the major
blood vessels. The retina may look cloudy and is difficult to focus with an ophthalmoscope
because of retinal detachment.
INFLAMMATION/INFECTIOUS

● Inflammatory retinal disease* (p 1205)
Inflammatory retinal disease, especially caused by fungal infections or ocular visceral larva
migrans, may cause retinal hemorrhage. Fungal infections cause anterior uveitis with inflamed
conjunctiva, pre-iridal fibrovascular membranes and occasional hemorrhage in the anterior
chamber (hyphema). Less commonly, hemorrhagic lesions are seen in the retina. Rarely, reti-
nal hemorrhage is caused by larvae migrating along blood vessels causing localized damage to
the retina and hemorrhage from injuries to the blood vessel they are migrating in or move
through.
TRAUMA

● Blunt or penetrating trauma* (p 1206)
The eye appears red through the pupil if there is retinal hemorrhage. Hemorrhage may be focal or
diffuse depending on the degree of trauma. If the retina is not visible, ocular ultrasound will be
needed to assess the posterior eye for retinal detachment or scleral rupture. Other parts of the eye
may also have hemorrhage.