Page 1264 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

1256 PART 15 CAT WITH EYE PROBLEMS

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NEOPLASTIC
● Ocular neoplasia* (p 1267)
Most cases present as anterior uveitis with corneal edema and a cloudy aqueous, and have some
form of swelling seen in the iris, which may cause distortion of the pupil (dyscoria). The retina
may be distorted and have a color change. Lymphosarcoma is the most common tumor and often
presents as bilateral iris swelling with a “creamy” color change, and anterior chamber hypopyon
and/or hemorrhage in a young cat, with or without other signs suggesting multicentric neoplasia.
The pupil may be distorted (dyscoria).
INFLAMMATION/INFECTIOUS
● Feline leukemia virus* (p 1266)
FeLV may present as a cloudy aqueous associated with white cells and fibrin in the eye caused by
a uveitis. Changes to iris appearance and abnormal pupil size and shape occur. It may or may
not be associated with lymphosarcoma.
● Feline infectious peritonitis (p 1266)
Ocular form usually occurs in cats 6–12 months old. Ocular signs may be unilateral or bilateral.
Typically there is fibrinous anterior uveitis and hypopyon, and initially no systemic signs.
Advanced cases show serous retinal detachment and may have neurological signs.

● Toxoplasma gondii (toxoplasmosis)** (p 1265)
Most common sign is a cloudy anterior chamber from anterior uveitis and hypopyon. Older
cats may develop small translucent nodules in the iris from lymphocytic–plasmocytic uveitis.
Advanced cases may develop serous retinal detachment. Occasionally systemic signs are pres-
ent including fever, weight loss, and respiratory, neurological and hepatic signs.
● Cryptococcus neoformans (cryptococcosis) (p 1268)
Usually presents as anterior uveitis with a cloudy aqueous secondary to leakage of white cells and
protein. Examination of the retina shows focal granulomas with a cloudy vitreous. Blindness
occurs in advanced cases.
● Other systemic fungal infections (Blastomyces dermatitidis, Candida albicans,
Coccidioides immitis, Histoplasma capsulatum) (p 1268)
Typically there is a cloudy aqueous secondary to white cells and protein leaking into eye from
anterior uveitis. Pre-iridal fibrovascular membranes are seen in chronic cases. Hemorrhage is asso-
ciated with the PFIMs. Retinal hemorrhage is seen occasionally in areas of granuloma formation
and appears as focal cloudy swelling in the retina.
WHERE?
LENS

DEGENERATIVE
● Nuclear sclerosis and senile cataract** (p 1271)
In nuclear sclerosis, the central part of the lens (nucleus) becomes slightly cloudy but the cat is
still visual. Sclerosis is a normal aging process that starts from 8 years and becomes progressively
cloudier with age. Senile cataract is seen in much older cats from 12–20 years of age. Nuclear