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Created page with "==Introduction== Uveitis refers to inflammation of the uvea. Various parts of the uvea, aqueous humour and vitr..."
==Introduction==
Uveitis refers to inflammation of the [[Eye - Anatomy & Physiology#The Wall (retina, uvea and sclera)|uvea]].

Various parts of the uvea, aqueous humour and vitreous are continuous, and uveitis often involves '''many ocular structures'''.

The retina and choroid are adjacent and are frequently inflamed together.

''Anterior uveitis'' referes to inflammation of the iris and ciliary body whereas ''posterior uveitis'' refers to inflammation of the choroid.

The pathogenesis of uveitis is still poorly understood, but '''immunologic reactions''' are involved. There are alterations in the vascular structure and permeability of uveal blood vessels following inflammation, and immune complexes can be deposited in vessels and lead to a chronic and recurrent disease.

==Causes==
Causes of uveitis in cats include:

'''Infectious causes''':
:[[Feline Infectious Peritonitis]]
:[[FeLV]] causing lymphosarcoma
:[[FIV]]
:[[Feline Herpesvirus 1]]
:[[Toxoplasmosis - Cat and Dog|Toxoplasmosis]]
:''Bartonella'' spp
:Systemic mycoses (cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis, blastomycosis, coccidiomycosis)

'''Neoplasia''': [[Lymphoma]], melanoma

'''Metabolic causes''': hypertension, coagulopathies

'''Immune-mediated''': cataract, phagoclastic uveitis, vasculitis

'''Trauma''': blunt or penetrating injuries, corneal foreign bodies

'''Idiopathic'''

==Clinical signs==
Cats will usually present because the owner has noticed a change in one or both eyes. There is usually a '''colour change''', cloudy or red most commonly.

The condition may be '''unilateral or bilateral'''. Bilateral disease is more common with systemic and auto-immune diseases, whereas trauma usually lead to unilateral signs.

'''Acute uveitis''' causes: pain, ciliary flush, miosis, aqueous flare, spongy swollen iris, decreased intra-ocular pressure

'''Hyphaema''' may be present and make the eye appear red.

A combination of '''aqueous flare, hypopyon, keratic precipitates''' and cataract will make the eye appear cloudy.

A fundus examination may reveal '''chorioretinitis and retinal detachment'''.

With '''chronic uveitis''', additional signs may include: neovascularisation of the iris, changes in iris pigmentation, secondary iris atrophy, synechiae, glaucoma and blindness.

==Diagnosis==
A thorough clinical examination and '''ophthalmic examination''' should enable a diagnosis of uveitis to be made.

'''Further investigation''' into the cause of the uveitis should include:

Complete haematology and biochemistry

Urinalysis

Thoracic radiography

'''Serological testing''' for ''Toxoplasma'', FeLV, FIV

Idiopathic uveitis is a diagnosis of exclusion.

==Treatment==
Treatment should be targeted at the specific cause if one has been found.

Additional treatment can be given to:

'''Control inflammation''': topical or systemic corticosteroids, topical or systemic NSAIDs, topical immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclosporin.

'''Prevent undesirable sequelae''': mydriatics to reduce synechiae formation and secondary glaucoma ('''atropine''' or tropicamide), anti-glaucoma agents if necessary

'''Relieve pain''': '''atropine''' helps reduce ciliary spasm. The patient can also be '''placed in a dark room''' to alleviate photophobia. A systemic opioid analgesia may be necessary in severe cases.

{{Learning
|flashcards = [[Feline Medicine Q&A 16]]
}}

==References==
Maggs, D. (2008) '''Slatter's fundamentals of veterinary ophthalmology''' ''Elsevier Health Sciences''

Turner, S. (2008) '''Small animal ophthalmology''' ''Elsevier Health Sciences''

Peiffer, R. (2008) '''Small animal ophthalmology: a problem-oriented approach''' ''Saunders''

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