Cataract is an opacity of the lens of the eye. A cataract can be present at birth, develop at a young age, develop at an older age, or occur secondary to other disease. Clinical signs include vision disturbance and cloudiness to the appearance of the eye. Diagnostic testing includes a complete eye examination, intraocular pressure testing, bloodwork, urine analysis, ocular ultrasound, and electroretinogram. Treatment involves topical treatment for secondary uveitis and glaucoma, treatment of an underlying disease, and cataract surgery.
Conjunctivitis (feline) is inflammation of the conjunctiva. It can occur secondary to infection, trauma, irritation, systemic illness, or cancer. Clinical signs include a painful and red eye, elevation of the third eyelid, squinting, eye or nasal discharge, sneezing, or decreased appetite. Diagnostic testing involves a complete eye exam, blood testing if infectious suspected, or conjunctival biopsy is cancer is suspected. Treatment includes topical or oral antibiotics, or anti-inflammatories. Reduction of stress is beneficial if underlying herpesvirus infection is suspected.
Conjunctivitis (canine) is inflammation of the conjunctiva. It can occur secondary to allergies, infection, irritation, “dry eye”, systemic disease, or cancer. Clinical signs include a painful and red eye, elevation of the third eyelid, squinting, and ocular discharge. Diagnostic testing includes a complete eye exam, blood testing, and conjunctival biopsy. Treatment is based on treating the underlying cause; and eliminating the infection and discomfort is indicated.
Corneal or Scleral Trauma occurs as a result of a blunt or sharp trauma to the eye. Symptoms include painful and red eye, eye discharge, elevation of the third eyelid, hemorrhage, and squinting. Diagnostic testing involves a complete eye exam, bloodwork, and an ocular ultrasound. Treatment includes foreign body removal, surgical laceration repair, and controlling inflammation.
Corneal Sequestrum occurs in cats and is an area of necrotic cornea with pigmentation. It occurs secondary to infection (such as herpesvirus infection) or corneal irritation or trauma. Clinical signs are a dark discoloration to the cornea, squinting, elevation of the third eyelid, painful and red eye, and eye discharge. Diagnostic testing includes a complete eye exam and testing for herpesvirus infection. Therapy involves topical eye medications or surgical removal in severe cases.
Corneal Ulceration is a loss of the superficial (top layer) corneal epithelium. It can occur as a simple ulcer, complex ulcer, or indolent/refractory ulcer. An ulcer can occur as a predisposition in certain breeds (Boxer dogs and Persian or Himalayan cats) or secondary to trauma or irritation of the eye, “dry eye”, or infection. Clinical signs include a painful and red eye, eye discharge, elevation of the third eyelid, squinting, and visible defect in the cornea. Diagnostic testing includes a complete eye exam, exam for eyelid deformities, exam for neurologic disorders, and keratectomy for biopsy evaluation. Treatment varies for the type of ulcer present. Simple corneal ulcers are treated with topical eye medications. Complex and indolent corneal ulcers are treated with topical eye medications, autogenous topical serum, corneal debridement, and surgical repair via grid keratotomy or graft.
Distichiasis, Ectopic Cilia, Trichiasis occur when there are eyelashes growing or directed toward the cornea. These lashes then cause corneal irritation. Clinical signs include a painful and red eye, eye discharge, elevation of the third eyelid, and squinting. Diagnostic testing includes a complete eye exam and exam for eyelid deformities. Treatment involves removal of the inciting eyelashes surgically or by cryotherapy, electrolysis, or laser. Trichiasis is treated with surgical reconstruction or removal of the folds causing the eyelids to turn in toward the cornea.
Ectropion or Entropion are abnormalities of the upper or lower eyelid where the entire eyelid goes away from the eye (ectropion) or goes toward the eye (entropion). This condition is more common in dogs, and can be developmental or acquired. Clinical signs include a painful and red eye, eye discharge, elevation of the third eyelid, squinting, and a visible inrolling or drooping of the eyelid. Therapy goals are to resolve underlying painful eye disease and surgically correcting the entropion or ectropion.
Episcleritis or Scleritis is inflammation of the superficial layer of the sclera (episcleritis) or inflammation and thickening of the sclera (scleritis). Episcleritis is usually painless and can be nodular (pinkish-red growth on the sclera) or diffuse. Scleritis is more diffuse and causes sensitivity to light, squinting, and excessive tearing. These conditions are often immune-mediated. Inflammation ranges from minor localized lesions to severe ocular disease. Diagnostic testing includes a complete eye exam, cytology of a nodular lesion, blood titer testing, immune-mediated blood testing, ocular ultrasound, and biopsy. Treatment is directed at relieving ocular discomfort, and promoting and maintaining regression of the disease with lifelong therapy.
Glaucoma is an increase in the pressure in the eye as a result of primary eye disease (abnormal drainage angle), secondary eye disease (ie. lens luxation, cataract, infection, or mass/cancer), and congenital/hereditary disease. Clinical signs involve vision loss, a red or cloudy eye, eye discharge, sensitivity around the head or face, and squinting. Diagnostic testing includes a complete eye exam, gonioscopy, and ocular ultrasound. Treatment is directed at decreasing the pressure in the eye with topical eye medications or surgery to address an underlying cause. Removal of the eye is indicated in chronic, severe, and painful conditions.
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (“Dry Eye”) is a result of a decrease in tear production by the lacrimal gland of the eye. Clinical signs include a red or painful eye, eye discharge, and squinting. This is diagnosed by a complete eye exam. Therapy involves topical eye medications to stimulate tear production, to lubricate the eye, and topical treatment for secondary eye infections or inflammation.
Lens Luxation is a complete dislocation of the lens in the eye due to abnormal development or degeneration, or secondary to rupture or degeneration of the fibers that hold the lens in place. A subluxation is a partial dislocation of the lens. Terrier breeds are predisposed. The luxated lens falls to the front of the eye (anterior chamber) or the back of the eye (posterior chamber). Secondary glaucoma can develop with an anterior lens luxation as a result of blocking the drainage angle. Symptoms include a red or painful eye, tearing, and squinting. The condition is diagnosed by a complete eye exam and may include an ocular ultrasound. Acute anterior lens luxation is considered a surgical emergency for removal of the lens.
Pannus (Chronic Superficial Keratitis) is a progressive, immune-mediated inflammatory disease of the cornea in dogs. Clinical signs include a corneal reddish or brown discoloration which slowly or rapidly covers the surface of the eye. Diagnostic testing includes a complete eye exam. Therapy is directed toward suppressing the disease and maintaining remission with a lifelong topical corticosteroid or immunosuppressive.
Proptosis of Globe is a forward displacement of the globe from the eye socket. Brachycephalic breeds are predisposed due to the globe positioned more shallow in the orbit. The condition is usually a result of a mild or significant force to the head. Diagnosis is based on the malpositioned appearance of the globe and a complete eye exam. Skull and chest x-rays are indicated in cases of more significant blunt traumas. Treatment involves returning and maintaining the globe to its proper anatomic location, and preserving vision. Chronic treatment may involve topical eye medications. Removal of the eye may be indicated with vision loss or persistent discomfort.
Retinal Degeneration is deterioration of the retina due to inherited conditions (progressive retinal atrophy), or acquired disorders (sudden acquired retinal degeneration, retinal detachment, glaucoma, cancer, nutritional deficiency, toxicity, or metabolic disease). Clinical signs include vision loss, a red or painful eye, an enlarged eye, and a greenish shine to the eye. Diagnostic testing includes a complete eye exam, retinal exam, genetic blood testing, and electroretinography. There is no available treatment to reverse retinal degeneration. Therapy is to treat the underlying cause, when possible.
Retinal Detachment is separation of the retina from the underlying epithelium. This is a result of hereditary or acquired disorders. Clinical signs include vision loss, a red or painful eye, an enlarged eye, and a greenish shine to the eye. Diagnostic testing includes performing a complete eye exam, retinal exam, blood pressure, and ocular ultrasound. Therapy involves treating the underlying cause and restoring vision, when possible.
Third Eyelid Abnormalities include eversion, prolapse (“cherry eye”), protrusion, or cancer of the third eyelid. Clinical signs include an abnormal appearance of the third eyelid, a red or painful eye, eye discharge, and squinting. Diagnostic testing may involve a complete eye exam, bloodwork, or biopsy. Topical eye medications, surgical correction, preserving tear production, and removing cancer are indicated therapies based on the abnormality.
Uveal Cysts are benign, round to ovoid, pigmented structures in the globe of the eye. Animals are usually asymptomatic and the cyst is found incidentally during an eye examination. Treatment is usually not indicated. However, larger cysts should be removed if they are causing increased eye pressure.
Uveitis is inflammation of the iris, ciliary body, and choroid of the eye. The condition is a result of immune-mediated disease or hereditary disorder, or secondary to infection or cancer in cats and dogs. Clinical signs include light sensitivity, a red or painful eye, eye discharge, squinting, or changes in color appearance inside the eye. Diagnostic testing involves a complete eye exam, bloodwork, urine analysis, infectious disease blood testing, an eye ultrasound, chest x-rays, and cytology. Treatment of the underlying disease and relieving eye discomfort with topical eye medications is indicated.