Page 1316 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

1308 PART 15 CAT WITH EYE PROBLEMS

QUICK REFERENCE SUMMARY
Diseases causing abnormal globe position or size
INCREASED GLOBE SIZE OR PROMINENCE

WHERE?
GLOBE
INFLAMMATION
● Buphthalmos associated with glaucoma** (p 1312)
Enlarged globe results from glaucoma, which occurs as a sequel to chronic anterior uveitis.
Usually unilateral.

TRAUMA
● Traumatic globe proptosis** (p 1313)
Globe is located external to eyelids and is usually associated with evidence of severe trauma.

WHERE?
ORBIT
NEOPLASTIC
● Orbital neoplasia*** (p 1310)
Lymphosarcoma usually results in bilateral globe prominence and peri-ocular tissue swelling.
Sometimes it is associated with anterior uveitis evidenced by intra-ocular fibrin, hemorrhage
and/or iris masses. It may occur in conjunction with other signs of multicentric lymphoma.
Squamous cell carcinoma more often causes unilateral globe prominence, and there is evidence of
co-existent neoplasia involving oral or nasal mucous membranes or pre-existent eyelid or conjunc-
tival neoplasia in a cat with non-pigmented eyelid margins. Fibrosarcoma or osteosarcoma typi-
cally produce a unilateral, slow-onset increase in globe prominence or globe displacement, and
peri-ocular swelling.
INFECTION
● Bacterial orbital cellulitis*** (p 1310)
Exophthalmos, peri-ocular swelling, conjunctival chemosis, and pain on palpation, retropulsion or
opening of the mouth occurs secondary to periodontal disease of the caudal maxillary teeth, pene-
trating injury caudal to the upper M1 tooth, or blood-borne infection.

IATROGENIC
● Non-septic orbital cellulitis or hemorrhage (p 1310)
Exophthalmos and peri-ocular swelling which becomes more pronounced following blind surgical
orbital exploration procedures.
TRAUMA
● Fractures of bones around the orbit or orbital emphysema* (p 1314)
Severe peri-ocular swelling, abnormalities in outline of the skull and/or proptosis of varying degrees
may occur as a sequel to trauma. Palpable zygomatic arch, vertical ramus of the mandible and/or
frontal bone fractures are often evident. Orbital emphysema may occur with trauma, and appears as
peri-orbital swelling which has a crepitant or “puffy” sensation on palpation.