Evaluation of Eye Diseases Encountered in Cats: A Retrospective Study (2020-2023)

Abstract

The eye is a sensory organ sensitive to external factors, infections, and metabolic disorders, and eye diseases have a very important place among surgical diseases. This study aimed to report the distribution of eye diseases encountered in cats brought to Dicle University Veterinary Faculty Hospital in the last 4 years (2020-2023) and to contribute to veterinary practice. The study material consisted of 291 cats of different ages, genders and breeds diagnosed with eye disease, brought to Dicle University Veterinary Faculty Animal Hospital between January 2020 and September 2023. Following the history of the cats, a detailed eye examination was performed and the diagnosed eye problem was recorded. In the cats included in the study, conjunctivitis (21.15%), keratitis (19.59%), corneal ulcer (14.09%), keratoconjunctivitis sicca (9.62%), glaucoma (3.44%), uveitis (4.12%), iris staphyloma (4.12%), symblepharon (3.78%), panophthalmitis (3.44%), corneal necrosis (3.09%), nictitans protrusion into the membrane (1.72%), chemosis (1.72%), entropion (1.37%), cataract (1.03%), hypopion (0.69%), proptosis (0.34%), local retinal detachment (0.34%) and dermoid cyst (0.34%) were seen. As a result, conjunctiva and corneal diseases were commonly encountered in cats. In order to prevent visual impairment, it is important not to neglect routine eye examinations and to diagnose and treat diseases early.