Section: Veterinary Care
Diagnosis
A complete history and physical examination are important to document the onset and progression of any eye signs and systemic abnormalities.
A thorough ophthalmic examination is indicated. Some retinal detachments are easily identified, while others can be difficult to see. Your veterinarian may refer your cat to a veterinary ophthalmologist for further evaluation using specialized instrumentation.
Once a retinal detachment is diagnosed in your cat, then an extensive search is required to identify any underlying diseases. Tests to be considered include the following:
Complete blood count (CBC)
Biochemical profile
Urinalysis
Fecal flotation
Measure of arterial blood pressure
Thyroid hormone assays
Blood clotting tests
X-rays of the chest and abdomen
Blood tests for infectious diseases
Serum protein assays, especially separating and characterizing proteins (electrophoresis)
Ocular ultrasound
Possibly a heart and/or abdominal ultrasound
Treatment
Therapy must be instituted as early in the disease process as possible, or the detached retina will deteriorate and the cat will be permanently blind. Treatment is usually directed at the underlying cause of the retinal detachment. The detachment itself is very difficult to treat. Depending on the physical condition of the patient, treatment options may include outpatient care or may necessitate hospitalization.
If the detachment is due to high blood pressure, then medications are instituted to lower the blood pressure. As the blood pressure is being controlled, systemic anti-inflammatory medications may be used to try to decrease the damage done to the retina.
Specific therapy for the underlying condition can include the following, depending upon the underlying cause:
Antibiotic therapy for certain infections
Chemotherapy for leukemias and other cancers
Vitamin K therapy
Intravenous fluids for hyperviscosity and other circulatory disorders
Administration of antidotes for antifreeze toxicity
Surgical removal of severely injured eyes or eyes with tumors
Some types of retinal detachments are not treatable. Examples include the congenital detachments and detachments associated with degeneration of the retina.
Home Care
Pets with recent onset of blindness should be evaluated by your veterinarian as soon as possible. Minimize stress and injury by confining your pet to a safe area until the cause of the problem is determined.
Administer all medication and return for follow-up examinations as directed by your veterinarian. Prognosis for return of vision is guarded. Although some retinas reattach once therapy has been started, it is rare for vision to return. Because the detachment may also signify the presence of a serious illness in the cat, the prognosis for the cat's overall health may also be poor to guarded.
In general, high blood pressure is a very treatable disease and cats may remain in reasonably in good health. They may be blind, however. In the event that vision cannot be saved, understand that such vision loss is not life threatening and the vast majority of cats adjust very well to their blindness.
Other diseases may not respond to therapy as well, and the life of the cat may be shortened.
Supervision of irreversibly blind cats is important.
They should only be allowed outside on a leash, or in a confined area under direct supervision.
Place barriers across staircases, over hot tubs and around pools. Do not allow the cat out onto balconies.
Establish a known location for the food and water bowls and guide your pet to them if necessary.
Avoid changing the location of the furniture and leaving chairs or other objects out of place in the house. Your cat will memorize a familiar (stable) environment in a relatively short time.
Purchase toys that contain bells or other noisemakers to encourage and help cats to play.
