Page 1260 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

1252 PART 15 CAT WITH EYE PROBLEMS

Treatment ENDOTHELIAL DYSTROPHY

Treatment with antibiotics and corticosteroids does not
alter the appearance of the lesions. Classical signs
● Progressive corneal edema that eventually
STROMAL DYSTROPHY OF MANX CATS leads to blindness.

Classical signs
Clinical signs
● Young Manx cats.
● Begins with stromal edema that Rare condition in young (4-month-old) Domestic
progresses to a cornea filled with large Shorthair cats.
bullae. Endotheial dystrophy results in progressive corneal
edema seen as a cloudy blue cornea, which leads to
blindness.
Clinical signs The corneal epithelium is intact, and there is no stain-

Rare disease of young Manx cats. Cats present with ing with fluorescein dye.
an axial (central) stromal edema which progresses to If the anterior chamber can be examined, there is no
diffuse corneal edema and a thickened corneal stroma sign of inflammation such as flare or hypopyon indi-
filled with bullae (fluid-filled vesicles). cating the presence of protein and white blood cells.
Affected cats become blind. The cause of the condition is not known, and no treat-
Histology demonstrates progressive disintegration of ment is possible.
stromal collagen fibers which are replaced with fluid-
filled vesicles. Eventually the epithelium separates Diagnosis
from its basement membrane and ulceration occurs.
A tentative diagnosis is based on the signs in a young
cat of progressive corneal edema, no staining with fluo-
Diagnosis rescein dye, and no history of trauma to the eye or inflam-
mation.
A tentative diagnosis is based on the presentation of
a young Manx cat with corneal edema. There is no definitive diagnosis.

A definitive diagnosis is based on histopathology.
CALCIFIC DEGENERATION

Differential diagnosis Classical signs
● Linear deposit of calcium in the anterior
There is no similar condition seen in Manx cats.
stroma with a shiny, gritty appearance that
may be vascularized.
Treatment ● Rare condition associated with chronic
herpetic keratitis.
There is no definitive treatment, and cats will become
blind.
Clinical signs
If ulceration occurs, methods used to protect the
cornea such as third eyelid flaps and tarsorrhaphies Calcific degeneration is seen as a linear deposit of cal-
may keep the cat comfortable. Resolution of ulceration cium in the anterior stroma, known as a band kerato-
will be difficult, and conjunctival grafts may have to be pathy. The affected area has a shiny, gritty appearance
used to seal the corneal defects. and may be vascularized.