Feline Corneal Inflammation: Pathology, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Feline Corneal Inflammation: Pathology, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Feline corneal inflammation, also known as keratitis, is a common eye condition in cats that involves inflammation of the cornea, the transparent membrane covering the front of the eye. It can be divided into two main types: non-ulcerative keratitis and ulcerative keratitis.
Pathology of Feline Corneal Inflammation
Non-ulcerative keratitis refers to inflammation of the corneal surface without an underlying epithelial defect. It is further classified into three types:
Substantial keratitis: Inflammation extends from the corneal epithelium to the stroma. It is often associated with feline viral rhinotracheitis and herpesvirus. It typically occurs bilaterally, and the inflammation can spread to the third eyelid. When the condition becomes chronic, the cornea is damaged and may develop into ulcerative keratitis.
Descemetocele keratitis: A brown to black discolored area appears on the corneal surface and naturally separates over time. It is also known as “keratopathy” or “black corneal necrosis” and often occurs in Persian, Himalayan, Siamese, and Burmese cats.
Eosinophilic keratitis: Peach-colored, lumpy growths can be seen rising on the outer side of the cornea. Also known as “proliferative granulomatous keratitis.”
Ulcerative keratitis refers to the presence of a corneal epithelial defect. It is further classified into two types:
Superficial corneal ulcer: There is a loss of corneal epithelium, but it has not yet reached the underlying stroma. The lesion remaining in the epithelial layer is called an “erosion.”
Deep corneal ulcer: The corneal epithelium is completely penetrated, and the defect has extended into the corneal stroma. The lesion extending under the epithelium is called an “ulcer.” If the cornea melts due to a pathogenic microorganism or proteolytic enzyme, it is sometimes called a “melting ulcer” or “collagenolytic ulcer.”
Symptoms of Feline Corneal Inflammation
Regardless of the type of keratitis, affected cats will exhibit the following symptoms:
Severe pain: Cats may show signs of restlessness, anxiety, and frequent licking of the eyes.
Attempting to rub eyes with paws: This is an instinctive response to relieve pain.
Excessive blinking: This is an instinctive response to protect the eye.
Trying to rub eyes on the floor or wall: This is another instinctive response to relieve eye discomfort.
Increased discharge: This may be due to increased secretions caused by inflammation.
Cloudy cornea: This may be due to inflammation or a foreign object on the corneal surface.
Neovascularization: Straight, branching capillaries appear in the eye. Neovascularization looks like branches when the lesion is close to the surface.
Causes of Feline Corneal Inflammation
Non-ulcerative keratitis:
Substantial keratitis: Associated with herpesvirus, which causes feline viral rhinotracheitis. Immune cells gather to clear the virus, resulting in chronic inflammation of the corneal epithelium extending to the stroma.
Descemetocele keratitis: The exact cause is unknown. It is speculated to be caused by chronic corneal irritation. There are also theories that it is related to herpesvirus.
Eosinophilic keratitis: The cause is unknown. It is speculated to be related to herpesvirus.
Ulcerative keratitis:
Chronic irritation to the cornea: This can be caused by foreign objects such as thorns, dust, or hair getting into the eye.
Dry eye: Incomplete eyelid closure, bulging eyeballs, glaucoma, and other conditions associated with dry eyes can increase the risk of keratitis.
Ectropion and entropion: Ectropion and entropion cause eyelashes or hairs to rub against the cornea, causing inflammation.
Treatment of Feline Corneal Inflammation
Symptomatic treatment:
Antibiotics: Prevent secondary infections.
Anti-inflammatory drugs: Reduce inflammation.
Restricting activity: Prevent rupture of the eyeball.
Medical contact lenses: Protect the cornea and promote healing.
Surgical treatment:
Removal of free epithelium: Similar to removing chewing gum stuck on the road, the free epithelium stuck to the cornea is removed.
Corneal superficial excision: Removal of the superficial corneal tissue.
Corneal adhesive: Accelerate wound healing.
Corneal transplantation: Suitable for severe damage or irreversible corneal problems.
Prevention of Feline Corneal Inflammation
Regular eye cleaning: Clean your cat's eyes daily with warm water and a cotton ball to maintain eye hygiene.
Avoid eye irritation: Keep your cat away from sharp objects or irritants to prevent eye irritation.
Regular eye checkups: Take your cat to the veterinary clinic for regular eye checkups to detect and treat keratitis early.
Pay attention to the breed: Longhaired cat breeds, such as Persians and Himalayans, have lower corneal sensitivity and require extra attention.
Preventive measures for longhaired breeds
Do not cut the whiskers around the eyeballs: Whiskers help cats sense their surroundings and prevent collisions with their eyes.
Brush frequently: Regular brushing can reduce the risk of hair getting into your cat's eyes.
Massage around the eyes: Gently massage around your cat's eyes to reduce the chance of hair getting in.
Summary
Feline corneal inflammation is a common eye condition, but it is curable if detected and treated promptly. Cat owners should pay attention to their cat's eye health, have regular checkups, and seek medical attention if problems arise. Owners of longhaired cat breeds should be especially aware of preventive measures to avoid eye damage in their cats.
Feline corneal inflammation, also known as keratitis, is a common eye condition in cats that involves inflammation of the cornea, the transparent membrane covering the front of the eye. It can be divided into two main types: non-ulcerative keratitis and ulcerative keratitis.
Pathology of Feline Corneal Inflammation
Non-ulcerative keratitis refers to inflammation of the corneal surface without an underlying epithelial defect. It is further classified into three types:
Substantial keratitis: Inflammation extends from the corneal epithelium to the stroma. It is often associated with feline viral rhinotracheitis and herpesvirus. It typically occurs bilaterally, and the inflammation can spread to the third eyelid. When the condition becomes chronic, the cornea is damaged and may develop into ulcerative keratitis.
Descemetocele keratitis: A brown to black discolored area appears on the corneal surface and naturally separates over time. It is also known as “keratopathy” or “black corneal necrosis” and often occurs in Persian, Himalayan, Siamese, and Burmese cats.
Eosinophilic keratitis: Peach-colored, lumpy growths can be seen rising on the outer side of the cornea. Also known as “proliferative granulomatous keratitis.”
Ulcerative keratitis refers to the presence of a corneal epithelial defect. It is further classified into two types:
Superficial corneal ulcer: There is a loss of corneal epithelium, but it has not yet reached the underlying stroma. The lesion remaining in the epithelial layer is called an “erosion.”
Deep corneal ulcer: The corneal epithelium is completely penetrated, and the defect has extended into the corneal stroma. The lesion extending under the epithelium is called an “ulcer.” If the cornea melts due to a pathogenic microorganism or proteolytic enzyme, it is sometimes called a “melting ulcer” or “collagenolytic ulcer.”
Symptoms of Feline Corneal Inflammation
Regardless of the type of keratitis, affected cats will exhibit the following symptoms:
Severe pain: Cats may show signs of restlessness, anxiety, and frequent licking of the eyes.
Attempting to rub eyes with paws: This is an instinctive response to relieve pain.
Excessive blinking: This is an instinctive response to protect the eye.
Trying to rub eyes on the floor or wall: This is another instinctive response to relieve eye discomfort.
Increased discharge: This may be due to increased secretions caused by inflammation.
Cloudy cornea: This may be due to inflammation or a foreign object on the corneal surface.
Neovascularization: Straight, branching capillaries appear in the eye. Neovascularization looks like branches when the lesion is close to the surface.
Causes of Feline Corneal Inflammation
Non-ulcerative keratitis:
Substantial keratitis: Associated with herpesvirus, which causes feline viral rhinotracheitis. Immune cells gather to clear the virus, resulting in chronic inflammation of the corneal epithelium extending to the stroma.
Descemetocele keratitis: The exact cause is unknown. It is speculated to be caused by chronic corneal irritation. There are also theories that it is related to herpesvirus.
Eosinophilic keratitis: The cause is unknown. It is speculated to be related to herpesvirus.
Ulcerative keratitis:
Chronic irritation to the cornea: This can be caused by foreign objects such as thorns, dust, or hair getting into the eye.
Dry eye: Incomplete eyelid closure, bulging eyeballs, glaucoma, and other conditions associated with dry eyes can increase the risk of keratitis.
Ectropion and entropion: Ectropion and entropion cause eyelashes or hairs to rub against the cornea, causing inflammation.
Treatment of Feline Corneal Inflammation
Symptomatic treatment:
Antibiotics: Prevent secondary infections.
Anti-inflammatory drugs: Reduce inflammation.
Restricting activity: Prevent rupture of the eyeball.
Medical contact lenses: Protect the cornea and promote healing.
Surgical treatment:
Removal of free epithelium: Similar to removing chewing gum stuck on the road, the free epithelium stuck to the cornea is removed.
Corneal superficial excision: Removal of the superficial corneal tissue.
Corneal adhesive: Accelerate wound healing.
Corneal transplantation: Suitable for severe damage or irreversible corneal problems.
Prevention of Feline Corneal Inflammation
Regular eye cleaning: Clean your cat's eyes daily with warm water and a cotton ball to maintain eye hygiene.
Avoid eye irritation: Keep your cat away from sharp objects or irritants to prevent eye irritation.
Regular eye checkups: Take your cat to the veterinary clinic for regular eye checkups to detect and treat keratitis early.
Pay attention to the breed: Longhaired cat breeds, such as Persians and Himalayans, have lower corneal sensitivity and require extra attention.
Preventive measures for longhaired breeds
Do not cut the whiskers around the eyeballs: Whiskers help cats sense their surroundings and prevent collisions with their eyes.
Brush frequently: Regular brushing can reduce the risk of hair getting into your cat's eyes.
Massage around the eyes: Gently massage around your cat's eyes to reduce the chance of hair getting in.
Summary
Feline corneal inflammation is a common eye condition, but it is curable if detected and treated promptly. Cat owners should pay attention to their cat's eye health, have regular checkups, and seek medical attention if problems arise. Owners of longhaired cat breeds should be especially aware of preventive measures to avoid eye damage in their cats.
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