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Treatment

Patients with retinal hemorrhage are usually hospitalized and given close care by a veterinary ophthalmologist. Your veterinarian will prescribe medications depending on the underlying cause of the disease. Surgery can sometimes be performed to reattach the retina to the choroid coat.

Living and Management

Your veterinarian will schedule frequent follow-up appointments for your cat to chart the deterioration or progress (post-surgically) of the retina and the underlying disease that caused it to detach. Repeat bloodwork and ophthalmic exams will be performed during these visits. If your cat becomes blind as a result of the retinal detachment, remember that once the underlying cause of disease has been controlled, the eye will no longer be painful to your cat. Although the blindness may not be reversed, your cat can still lead a happy and fulfilling life indoors as it learns to compensate with its other senses and memorizes the layout of the home.

As your cat will be more vulnerable without its sight, you will need to take extra care to protect your cat from harmful situations, such as with other pets and active children. Also, you will need to keep your cat indoors at all times.