Distinction between these conditions is challenging but essential. Glaucoma presents with much more subtle clinical signs in the cat compared to the dog. The cat eye is able to withstand much greater pressure elevation without evidence of corneal edema or scleral injection. Often the only sign may be a slight asymmetry in pupil size. Although in the dog, this condition rapidly results in permanent retinal damage, cats may recover some vision even after several weeks of elevated pressure.
Retinal detachment is often an indication of underlying systemic disease.
The condition is usually bilateral and presents with acute blindness and pupillary dilation. All of the inflammatory conditions which cause uveitis in cats can also result in retinal detachment. A slowly progressive form of non-inherited retinal degeneration is associated with dietary taurine deficiency. Although most species are able to endogenously synthesize taurine from cysteine, this ability is limited in the cat. Commercial cat foods contain adequate levels of taurine and this form of nutritional retinal degeneration is seen most often in cats fed predominantly dog food.