Feline Ophthalmology

Question 1

What cats are at risk of entropion?

Answer 1

• Young cats - DSH - lid usually needs shortening
• Older cats

Question 2

What is chemosis?

Answer 2

• Oedema / swelling of the conjunctiva

Question 3

What is symblepharon? What should be done?

Answer 3

• Adhesion of ocular surface to conjunctiva / cornea
  -following herpes infection as kitten
  -often pain free + can be left

Question 4

What is epiphora?

Answer 4

• Tear overflow
  -can be due to medial entropion
  -usually anatomically normal + little can be done

Question 5

What is corneal sequestrum?

Answer 5

• Delayed healing of corneal ulcer = necrosis of exposed stroma
  = turns brown / black
• This then acts as a foreign body + causes pain
  -most will need surgery to remove

Question 6

What can uveitis be an indicator of in cats?

Answer 6

• FeLV
• FeCoV
• Tuberculosis

Question 7

What can lymphoplasmacytic uveitis in cats lead to?

Answer 7

• Cataract
• Glaucoma
• Lens Luxation
  (otherwise rare)

Question 8

Why is uveal melanoma a problem in cats?

Answer 8

• Will metastasise
  -distinguish between superficial pigment + melanoma
  -melanoma tend to cause thickening

Question 9

What is the most common sign of hypertension?

Answer 9

• Hyphaema - blood in eye
  -need to rule out blunt trauma

Question 10

What drug can cause rapid + irreversible blindness in cats?

Answer 10

• Overdosage with Baytril

Question 11

What causes penetrating injuries? What should be done to treat?

Answer 11

• Cat claw injuries = lacerations / stabs
• Tx =
  -LA drops + wait
  -flush eye
  -meds = topical + oral AB, mydriatics
  -re-examine soon = lens rupture?

Question 12

Why do you need to be careful with dentistry?

Answer 12

• Removal of tooth on upper jaw
  =if slip and go through hard palate can perforate eye

Question 13

Why do you need to be careful with enucleation of a cat?

Answer 13

• Can damage optic chiasm if you pull + cause blindness in other eye