Feline Eosinophilic Keratitis Picture

Feline eosinophilic keratitis is a cat health eye problem in which a lot of blood vessels grow into and across the cornea of the eye. You can see the blood vessel in the picture below coming from the top left and going across the eye.

Eosinophils are white blood cells, a part of the cat's immune system. In a cat with this condition, the outer layer of the cornea has many eosinophils and mast cells (another component of the cat's immune system). The eye has a white plaque over it. These cells are associated with immune reactions and allergies.

Eosinophilic Keratitis - Photo copyright Cuyahoga Falls Veterinary Clinic

The cause of eosinophilic keratitis is unknown. Apparently herpesvirus may be the cause or one cause.

The treatment is more about controlling the condition by the use of anti-inflammatory drugs (topical steroids and oral corticosteroids)¹.

Associated: Shocking truth about the feline herpesvirus.

Thanks: This photo has been used with permission for teaching/educational purposes at PoC. The photo was provided by Cuyahoga Falls Veterinary Clinic.
Note: 1. Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook 195-196 ISBN 978-0-470-09530-0