Page 1265 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

61 – THE CAT WITH A CLOUDY EYE 1257

cells finally break down so the nucleus becomes very cloudy and vision deteriorates. The lens
cortex may also start to degenerate resulting in cortical changes in addition to nuclear changes.
METABOLIC
● Diabetic cataract (p 1273)
Rare finding in aged diabetic cats. Lens is cloudy with an immature to mature cataract and
impaired vision.
INFLAMMATION/INFECTIOUS
● Cataract secondary to infectious uveitis** (p 1271)
The lens becomes very cloudy because of a cortical cataract developing from poor nutrition and
toxic states within the eye. Signs of uveitis are present such as a cloudy eye due to aqueous flare
and fibrovascular membranes on the iris (PFIMs).
INFLAMMATION/NON-INFECTIOUS
● Cataract secondary to non-infectious uveitis (p 1273)
Nuclear cataract in a young healthy cat with no evidence of ocular inflammation. Rare.
Trauma:
● Cataract secondary to lens trauma* (p 1272)
Penetrating injuries that rupture the lens capsule will disrupt normal lens physiology and cause
cataract development. This causes an acute uveitis from the released lens proteins within the eye
(lens-induced uveitis). Blunt trauma to the eye may also rupture the lens. A tentative diagnosis
is based on a history or signs of eye trauma and the presence of a mature or immature cataract.

WHERE?
VITREOUS
METABOLIC
● Cloudy vitreous associated with systemic hypertension*** (p 1274)
Vitreous may appear cloudy due to detached retina bulging into vitreous. Hemorrhage occurs into
the vitreous from ruptured retinal blood vessels. Seen in older cats with a history of sudden blind-
ness. Common secondary to chronic renal disease or hyperthyroidism.
NEOPLASTIC
● Feline intra-ocular sarcoma (p 1276)
Affected cats range from 7–15 years of age and have a history of prior ocular trauma. Cats present
with signs of anterior uveitis and may show glaucoma and white to pink masses in the vitreous, if
it can be visualized.
INFLAMMATION/INFECTIOUS
● Feline immune deficiency virus* (p 1275)
FIV infection causes pars planitis which is a “Snowbank” inflammation of the pars plana and
thought to be almost pathognomonic for FIV infection. It results in a cloudy vitreous.