Ocular Diseases in Veterinary Medicine

Pupil constriction.

Pupil dilation.

Inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin membrane lining the eye.

Watery eyes, excessive tear production.

Eyelid rolls inward, touching the cornea.

Eyelid rolls outward, exposing the cornea.

Hypertrophy of the nictitating gland (third eyelid).

Increased intraocular pressure (IOP) causing retinal damage.

Sore/ulcer in the cornea.

Pressure inside the eye.

Complete loss of the corneal epithelium, exposing the underlying stroma. This can be caused by trauma, chemicals, foreign objects, dry eye (KCS), or herpes virus.

Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca, or dry eye, occurs when there is insufficient tear production and distribution, leading to a dry, uncomfortable eye.

Glands that produce tears. In dogs and cats, these glands are located in the lateral superior orbit (70% of tears) and at the base of the third eyelid (30% of tears).

A clouding of the lens in the eye, which can cause progressive vision loss.

Inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye that includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid.

Symptoms of anterior uveitis include pain, prolapsed third eyelid, vision defects, chemosis (swelling of the conjunctiva), and scleral injection (redness of the white part of the eye).

A group of inherited retinal disorders that cause retinal thinning, nerve atrophy, and vascular narrowing, leading to progressive vision loss.

In cats, PRA can be caused by a deficiency in taurine, an amino acid essential for vision.

PRA is commonly seen in toy breeds, poodles, retrievers, setters, schnauzers, cockers, and collies.

Treatment involves addressing the underlying cause, providing pain relief, and promoting healing. This often includes topical antibiotics, pain medications, and eye lubrication.

Uncontrolled blinking, making it difficult to open the eye.

Swollen conjunctiva, the membrane lining the eye.

Bloodshot eyes due to dilated blood vessels.

Inflammation of the cornea, the transparent front part of the eye.

Sensitivity to light, causing discomfort.

Inflammation of the sclera, the white part of the eye.

Inflammation of the lacrimal sac, which collects tears before they drain.

A sore or lesion on the cornea, the clear outer layer of the eye. It can happen due to trauma, chemical exposure, foreign bodies, dry eyes, or infections like herpes.

A corneal ulcer, which is a sore or lesion on the cornea, the clear outer layer of the eye.

Dry eye, a condition where the eyes don't produce enough tears to keep them healthy, leading to dryness, discomfort, and potential vision loss.

Loss of lacrimal glands, which are responsible for tear production. This loss can be due to age, disease, or genetics.

A clouding of the lens in the eye, blocking light and causing vision loss. It often develops gradually and can be inherited or caused by other medical conditions.

Inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye that includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. It can lead to pain, redness, and vision problems.

Signs include pain, prolapsed third eyelid, vision problems, swelling of the conjunctiva (chemosis), and redness of the white part of the eye (scleral injection).

A group of inherited eye diseases that cause progressive loss of vision due to degeneration of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.

Taurine deficiency, an essential amino acid required for healthy vision. It's important to ensure cats get enough taurine in their diet

Toy breeds, poodles, retrievers, setters, schnauzers, cockers, and collies are known to be predisposed to PRA.