Corneal disease is a common reason cats are presented squinting, with a watery or cloudy eye. Cats differ from dogs because herpesvirus is a major cause of ulcers, and because they develop conditions seen in no other species, notably corneal sequestrum. The key exam skills are choosing the right drug for the pattern and knowing what to avoid.
Key facts
Corneal diseases at a glance- Species and system: cat; eye (cornea).
- Causes: FHV-1 (ulcers, stromal keratitis), chronic irritation and eyelid disease (sequestrum), immune-mediated eosinophilic keratitis, trauma.
- Classic presentations: a kitten with dendritic ulcers; a Persian with a brown-black corneal plaque; an adult with a white-pink vascularized plaque at the limbus.
- Cardinal rules: no corticosteroids on an ulcer; no keratotomy in cats.
- Zoonotic or reportable: no.
What's inside
13 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Ulcer assessment and escalation
- Comparing the three main feline corneal conditions
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 4 tables, 1 figure, 3 self-test questions and 9 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.