Feline Corneal Ulcers – Feline herpes virus infection is the most frequent causative agent of corneal ulcers (damage to the corneal epithelium). Feline herpes virus ulcers are usually superficial and do not respond to antibiotic therapy. If treated with topical or systemic steroids, these ulcers can get dramatically worse in the short period of time. Treatment of these ulcers is pursued with the use of anti-viral medications. Deep corneal ulcers are most frequently associated with bacterial infections, and may require an aggressive medical therapy. If the corneal ulcer is very deep, surgery may be needed to re-enforce the corneal tissue and prevent the eye rupture.
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Feline Eosinophilic Keratitis – Feline eosinophilic keratitis is an auto-immune condition which is usually affecting the cornea or surrounding ocular tissues in cats. This condition is characterized by development of creamy-white deposits on the eye surface, and it usually results in the eye redness and discomfort. Diagnosis is confirmed by evaluating the cells from deposits under the microscope (cytology evaluation). Treatment of eosinophilic keratitis is usually pursued with immunosuppressive eye drops. Since these eye drops can be very dangerous to the feline eye, all patients must be carefully monitored during the treatment period. In some cats, the resolution of eosinophilic keratitis may be followed by a re-activation of the herpes virus infection warranting the need for the treatment with anti-viral medications.
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Feline Glaucoma – Glaucoma is disease characterized by the high elevation of pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure), which results in a damage to the eye and eventually blindness. Glaucoma is a frequent cause of blindness in cats, and most frequently develops secondary to the chronic inflammation inside the eye (secondary glaucoma). Some cat breeds can develop glaucoma as a hereditary disease (primary glaucoma).

The eye shape is maintained by the intraocular fluid (aqueous humor), which is continuously produced and drained from the eye. Similar to the open faucet and drain, the system is well maintained as long as the drain system is functional. If drain systems of the eye get plugged, the intraocular fluid will start to accumulate in the eye resulting in the rise of pressure. This build-up of the high pressure in the eye can damage many eye structures in the very short period of time.

Medical and surgical therapies for glaucoma can reduce production of the intraocular fluid ("closing the faucet") and increase the flow of the intraocular fluid from the eye ("unplugging the drain") with a goal of maintain the intraocular pressure of 15-20 mmHg.
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Feline Herpes and Chlamydia Ocular Infections – Feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) and Chlamydia are the most frequent infectious agents, , which can cause conjunctivitis (conjunctiva is the white-pink tissue surrounding the eye globe) and corneal ulceration in both kittens and adult cats. Infection with these agents is very common, and both organisms are widespread among cat populations, particularly in shelter cats and households with multiple cats. Exposure to these agents can result in fever, sneezing, coughing, runny nose, excessive tearing, and swelling (with redness) of the conjunctiva. These infectious agents are spread from cat to cat either by direct contact or by dispersion of particles in the air (aerosol disperssion). Cats infected with FHV-1 become carriers for life, and their infections may relapse if the immune system becomes weaker due to the stress or systemic immunosuppressive medications. FHV-1 infection is usually treated with topical anti-viral drops and/or systemic anti-viral medications. Chlamydia infection can be completely eliminated with the long-term use of the appropriate systemic antibiotic. The short use of the systemic antibiotic will frequently result in the elimination of clinical symptoms of disease, but will not eliminate the organism from the body.
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Feline Uveitis – Uveitis (inflammation within the eye) is relatively frequent, but potentially very serious ophthalmic disorder in cats. Uncontrolled inflammation in the eye can cause development of different complications resulting in blindness (cataract formation, retinal detachment, secondary glaucoma). Almost 50% of cats with uveitis have a very serious systemic disease (infection or cancer), which may be life threatening if not early recognized and properly treated. The most frequent clinical signs of uveitis include decreased vision, squinting, redness, elevated third eyelid, cloudy cornea, change in the eye color and small pupil. A d systemic clinical evaluation must be performed in all cats with uveitis. Treatment strategies are usually focused on controlling the inflammation and eliminating a possible cause of uveitis (infection or cancer).
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Feline Sudden Onset of Blindness – Sudden onset of blindness in cats is most frequently associated with the high blood pressure (systemic hypertension). Different infectious diseases (viral, fungal, bacterial) and cancers can also result in the sudden onset of blindness. Unfortunately, blindness in cats can also be induced by a prolonged administration of some systemic antibiotics (fluoroquinolones). Many causes of sudden onset of blindness in cats are reversible, if early diagnosis is established and an appropriate medical treatment is initiated before the irreversible damage develops.
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Iris Melanoma – Iris melanoma is one of the most frequent ocular tumors in cats. It usually appears as dark-brown structure of the iris (tissue inside the eye, which gives color to the eye - in the majority of cats, this tissue is of yellow or blue color). Any change in the color of the iris should be evaluated for the possible evidence of the iris melanoma. In the early stage of disease, where only few pigmented spots are present, laser treatment of the iris can be pursued, which will result in the destruction of the pigmented pre-malignant lesions. In cases where pigmented tissue starts to distort intraocular structures, or there is a presence of pigmented cells in the front part of the eye (anterior chamber), the surgical eye removal is highly recommended; so possible spread of the tumor cells from the eye to other organs can be prevented.
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