Eye: chorioretinitis

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Sections available in full article Introduction, Presenting signs, Pathogenesis, Etiology, Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Presenting problems, Client history, Clinical signs, Diagnostic investigation, Differential diagnosis, Treatment, Standard treatment, Subsequent management, Prevention, Control, Sequelae, Prognosis, Sources, Publications, Vetstream contributor(s),
Contributors Dr Dennis E Brooks DVM PhD DipACVO
Dr David Williams MA VetMB PhD CertVOphthal FRCVS

Introduction

  • Inflammatory reaction of neurosensory retina (nsr) and vascular choroid.
  • Cause : all causes of uveitis.
  • Exogenous - penetrating trauma but anterior uveitis much more commonly seen.
  • Endogenous - infectious agents esp. FIP, FeLV, FIV, Toxoplasma gondii, fungi (cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis), Mycobacterium.
  • Also idiopathic (large group).
  • Signs : rarely causes objective signs unless associated with anterior uveitis.
  • Lens-induced inflammation is more commonly anterior.
  • Often even large lesions appear to have little effect on vision.
  • Diagnosis : ophthalmoscopic signs confirm clinical entity, underlying cause may be identified by full clinical examination, history, laboratory tests. Vitreocentesis may be helpful.
  • Treatment : attempt to diagnose and treat underlying cause.
  • Prognosis : depends on extent/distribution of lesions and underlying cause.

Diagnosis

Clinical signs

  • Signs of anterior uveitis:
    • Pain.
    • Red eye.
    • Discharge.
    • Iris swelling  Iris: iritis 05  .
  • Leucocoria (white pupil) if vitreal involvement is marked.

Diagnosis

Differential diagnosis

  • Non-inflammatory retinal detachment, eg hypertension  Hypertension  .
  • Hereditary retinal degenerations.
    These usually bilateral, symmetrical and generalized; chorioretinitis usually bilateral but irregular in distribution.
  • FCRD  Retina: taurine-deficient retinopathy  (feline central retinal degeneration) resulting from dietary taurine deficiency.

Sequelae

Prognosis

  • Depends on underlying cause and success in treating it.
  • Vision rarely severely affected.
  • Prognosis for cat as a whole depends on diagnosis of infectious agent.

Sources

Publications

Other sources of information

  • Petersen-Jones S & Crispin S (2002)BSAVA Manual of Small Animal Ophthalmology. 2nd edn. British Small Animal Veterinary Association. ISBN 0 905214 54 4

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