Niedorozwój powieki u kota. Przypadek kliniczny

Eyelid agenesis in a cat. Clinical case

Eyelid defects in cats are very frequently caused by trauma, after surgical removal of the tumor, or they can be diagnosed in the cases of complete (agenesis), or partial (coloboma) absence of all the eyelid layers. Agenesis or coloboma of the eyelids is the commonest congenital eyelid abnormality of cats, both, domestical and wild. The most frequently affected region is the lateral part of the upper eyelid, with occasionally involving of the medial and lateral canthus. No specific etiology has been established, although a number of possibilities, including teratogenicity, environmental influence and genetic predisposition have been suggested.

Ocular manifestation are multiple, from simple defects – eyelid coloboma, to multiple ocular defects presented as eyelid colobomas, microphthalmos, cataract, retinal dyslpasia, and choroidal and optic nerve colobomas. A genetic predisposition to incomplete development of the eyelids at the lateral and medial canthus is suspected certain lines of Burmese cats, together with occurrence of epibulbar dermoids. Extension of the eyelid defect in affected cats determines the severity of the clinical signs. In conjunction with the lack of eyelid margin there may be no obvious meibomian glands in the affected area.

Clinical signs associated with eyelid agenes is include irritation, epiphora, and the absence of the lateral upper eyelid margin and variable amounts of the lid. Often in the area of eyelid agenesis, the remaining lid is inverted, resulting of focal keratitis.

Treatment consist of cleaning and ocular lubrication for minimally affected cases. Similar conservative approach is following until more severely affected animals are old enough for surgery. Surgical correction of the feline eyelid agenesis is recommended if chronic conjunctival irritation and corneal involvement develop.

Surgical techniques may be used to treat eyelid agenesis successfully. The choice of sur...