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About the Author: Dr Sherry Bass is a Distinguished Teaching Professor at the SUNY State College of Optometry where she has been a member of the faculty for 45 years. She is an attending in the Retina and Electrodiagnostic clinic at the University Eye Center. Dr. Bass in a national
About The Author: Dr. Harriette Canellos is an Associate Clinical Professor at SUNY College of Optometry, Director of the University Eye Center’s Referral Service and Instructor of Record of the Fourth Year Program. She supervises interns and residents in the Advanced Anterior Segment Disease, Cataract and Oculoplastic clinics.Dr. Canellos is
About The Author: Dr. Andrew Dohanich graduated from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in 2025. He is currently completing a residency in Primary Care at SUNY College of Optometry.
Acknowledgements: Amy Steinway, OD, FAAO
References: Cirone D, Mandarà E, Simone LD, et al. Ophthalmic manifestations of cat scratch disease. Annals of Eye Science 2021;6(0):17-17.Habot-Wilner Z, Trivizki O, Goldstein M, et al. Cat-scratch disease: ocular manifestations and treatment outcome. Acta Ophthalmologica 2018;96(4):524-32.Hong H, Li T, Ying Y, et al. Cat-scratch disease manifesting as uveitis and binocular
Discussion and Conclusion: Typical oral antibiotic treatment options include doxycycline, azithromycin, rifampin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Doxycycline is preferred due to its effective penetration of the eye. Azithromycin is recommended for children under the age of 12 as doxycycline should be avoided in this demographic. In cases of neuroretinitis, systemic corticosteroids are often
Treatment and Management: Cat scratch disease does not typically require treatment as the symptoms are usually self-limited in nature. Treatment with antipyretics and warm compresses at the site of inoculation are usually sufficient for mild cases. Severe systemic findings/ocular findings warrant treatment with systemic antibiotics, as well as both topical and
Diagnosis: Diagnosis of CSD can be challenging as Bartonella henselae is a fastidious organism and is difficult to culture. History of recent close contact with unvaccinated cats leads the diagnosis. Our patient had confirmed recent close contact with cats during a period of inebriation. Diagnosis of CSD is confirmed by serology
Differential Diagnoses: Granulomatous Uveitis → Syphilis, Sarcoid, Tuberculosis, HerpesNeuroretinitis → Lyme Disease, Salmonella, Toxoplasmosis, ToxocariasisBilateral Optic Disc Edema → Malignant Hypertension, Intracranial Mass
Figure 5. Central 30-2 Humphrey visual fields demonstrate enlarged blind spots typically seen with optic disk edema. A cluster of field defects can be appreciated superior temporal in the right eye. The left eye demonstrates scattered, non-specific defects of the inferior field
