Feline Uveitis Study Guide
Overview and Clinical Importance
Uveitis is inflammation of the uveal tract (iris, ciliary body, and choroid) and represents one of the most common and clinically significant ophthalmic conditions in feline practice. Unlike in dogs, feline uveitis frequently indicates underlying systemic disease, making it a critical diagnostic window into the patient's overall health status. The condition is often called an 'intraocular lymphadenopathy' because the eye can serve as a sentinel site for detecting systemic infectious and neoplastic diseases.
A cause is not identified in 40-70% of feline uveitis cases despite extensive diagnostic workup, making idiopathic uveitis the most common diagnosis. Early recognition and aggressive treatment are essential to prevent vision-threatening sequelae including secondary glaucoma, cataracts, posterior synechiae, and phthisis bulbi.
Anatomy and Pathophysiology
Uveal Tract Anatomy
The uvea (vascular tunic) comprises three continuous structures:
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