Incidence of ocular affections in cats: A study of 356 cases

Abstract

The incidence of feline ophthalmic affections in the Mumbai region was evaluated with respect to age, breed, sex, and anatomical localization between August 2024 and January 2025. A total of 356 cases were diagnosed with ocular disorders. The most frequently recorded conditions, in descending order, were keratitis, conjunctivitis, uveitis, traumatic proptosis, corneal ulceration, blepharitis, glaucoma, corneal sequestrum, entropion, hyphema, cataract, corneal degeneration, eyelid agenesis, corneal perforation, traumatic wound, endophthalmitis, retrobulbar tumour, cherry eye, descemetocele, lens luxation, retinal detachment, enophthalmos, eyelid hidrocystomas, microphthalmia, anophthalmia, anterior s ynechia, and iris prolapse. Breed-specific predispositions were evident, including a higher occurrence of entropion in Persian cats and a greater incidence of herpetic keratoconjunctivitis and eyelid agenesis in non-descript cats. Younger cats, particularly those aged 0–1 year, exhibited the highest incidence (37.92%), suggesting an age-related susceptibility. Non-descript cats constituted the largest proportion of affected animals (61.24%), while male cats were more frequently affected than females. Anatomically, the cornea was the most commonly involved structure, accounting for 35.11% of all recorded affections. These findings highlight key demographic and anatomical risk factors for feline ocular disorders in the region and underscore the need for enhanced awareness and early diagnosis in vulnerable groups.