A Case Report of Unilateral Microphthalmia in Cat: Imaging Challenges and Surgery

Background: Microphthalmia is a common congenital orbital anomaly resulting in small malformed globe. Microphthalmia may occur in eyes that retain normal function when all intraocular structures remain proportional in size. Conversely, it can also present in eyes with multiple ocular abnormalities, including cataract, retinal dysplasia, and anterior segment dysgenesis. Microphthalmia in the dog often occurs as part of collie eye anomaly (CEA). Administration of griseofulvin to pregnant cats for treatment of dermatomycosis has resulted in anophthalmia or microphthalmia in their kittens. Method and Result: The present case was a clinically healthy ۱۲۰-day-old female DLH cat presented to the department of clinical sciences, faculty of veterinary medicine, Shiraz university, Shiraz, Iran. The chief complaint was the absence of detailed structures in the right eye and the inability to open the right eyelids. Clinical examination was otherwise normal in the rest of the body systems. Anophthalmia and microphthalmia were differential diagnoses on initial presentation. After referral to the radiology department, ocular ultrasonography revealed the absence of internal ocular structures except for the sclera and retina. Blood circulation was detected around the globe; however, the retrobulbar region appeared small, and the optic nerve was not visible. Sonographically, distinguishing between anophthalmia and microphthalmia was not possible. The left eye appeared normal. The patient was subsequently referred to the surgery department for further evaluation and management. During the surgical procedure, the ocular contents were removed using the transpalpebral enucleation technique. Macroscopic inspection