Cataracts in cats

Cataracts Could Be the Cataracts in cats. Could you find your way from the kitchen to bathroom wearing a pair of glasses smeared with grease? Unfortunately, the world can look this hazy to cats that have cataracts. Although cataracts are often associated with aging, this eye problem can also affect younger cats.

The lens of the eye works much like the lens of a camera, helping to focus on objects so the cat can see them clearly. When cataracts affect a big part of the lens, they cause vision loss and may lead to blindness. Every cat experiences cataracts differently. A cataract may develop rapidly or over a period of time. There are four stages of cataracts:. One of the more common signs is a change in the appearance of the eye. A healthy eye has a transparent pupil, while an eye with cataracts will have a cloudy white film covering part or all of the pupil.

Cataracts in cats

The lens in a feline eye—like the lens in a human or canine eye—is a small, translucent structure that adjusts its shape as needed to focus incoming light rays on the retina, a light-sensitive tissue that lines the interior surface of the eyeball. When the retina receives light impulses that have passed through the lens, the impulses are instantaneously transmitted to the brain as visual information via the optic nerve, which is attached to the back of the eye. A cataract is a condition in which the lens becomes cloudy or totally opaque. When this happens, incoming light is impeded, if not totally prevented, from passing through the eye to the retina. In some cases, the affected area of the lens may be tiny, and the resulting impairment in vision will be inconsequential. In other cases, however, the entire lens may be opaque, in which case total blindness will result in an affected eye. Cataracts, moreover, can be either unilateral or bilateral—affecting either one or both eyes. And older cats often get them as a natural consequence of the aging process. Other potential causes include traumatic injury that results in a perforated lens and exposure to certain drugs or toxic substances , radiation, or electric shock. In many cases, however, the cause of a cataract is unknown. The signs of cataract-related failing vision or total loss of vision may be behavioral. A visually impaired cat may, for example, become less agile, bump into familiar furniture, or appear to have difficulty finding its food bowl or litterbox. The cat will seem reluctant to move about in unfamiliar places. And it will be tentative and noticeably cautious about going up and down stairs.

Puerto Rico English. Just like people, cats are more likely to develop cataracts as they get older. In some cases, the affected area of the lens may be tiny, cataracts in cats, and the resulting impairment in vision will be inconsequential.

Cataracts are changes to the clear lens inside the eye, causing it to take on a cloudy appearance. The lens is a translucent disc-like structure inside the eye. The lens helps to focus incoming light in the back of the eye on the retina. This picture is then sent to the brain to allow a cat to see the world around them. When a cataract develops, the lens is not able to focus the light down, leading to vision changes.

In humans, cataracts are the world's leading cause of blindness. Cataracts in cats are rare, but the disease is still serious; if left untreated, it may lead to blindness. Thankfully, many cases of feline cataracts can be successfully treated. Cataracts affect the lens of the eye. The lens helps to focus vision as light that passes through the eye, allowing your cat to see.

Cataracts in cats

The lens in a feline eye—like the lens in a human or canine eye—is a small, translucent structure that adjusts its shape as needed to focus incoming light rays on the retina, a light-sensitive tissue that lines the interior surface of the eyeball. When the retina receives light impulses that have passed through the lens, the impulses are instantaneously transmitted to the brain as visual information via the optic nerve, which is attached to the back of the eye. A cataract is a condition in which the lens becomes cloudy or totally opaque. When this happens, incoming light is impeded, if not totally prevented, from passing through the eye to the retina. In some cases, the affected area of the lens may be tiny, and the resulting impairment in vision will be inconsequential. In other cases, however, the entire lens may be opaque, in which case total blindness will result in an affected eye. Cataracts, moreover, can be either unilateral or bilateral—affecting either one or both eyes.

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You will need to administer several types of eye drops at least four times a day and give additional medications orally. In cats who are good surgical candidates, cataracts can be cured with surgical removal. Finland - Suomi. Should the cataract grow larger, surgery may be the best option at that point. For many cats, cataracts themselves are not painful and may not require any additional management aside from regular monitoring. Chorioretinitis in Cats. When cataracts affect a big part of the lens, they cause vision loss and may lead to blindness. South Africa. Cats are very good at hiding discomfort and vision changes, so it's crucial to look for potential signs of cataracts, such as:. Glaucoma occurs when the pressure inside the eye is too high. Treatment of Cataracts in Cats Cataracts can be removed with a surgery called phacoemulsification. The most common cause of cataracts in cats is chronic uveitis. A cataract is a condition in which the lens becomes cloudy or totally opaque. Netherlands - Nederland. As part of the pre-surgery preparation, your veterinarian will order a blood test.

Night hunting, pouncing on speedy prey, keeping a watch to protect their territory—cats use their keen eyesight for survival in the wild and to live an active life as a pet in the home. Cats are excellent at hiding signs of disease, and it is important to watch for and address concerns quickly for the best outcome. When the eye is involved, it is even more urgent because this sensitive organ can change rapidly, sometimes resulting in complete loss of vision.

Skip Navigation. Look for changes in the color of the iris, for example, or see if the eye seems to be cloudy. Your veterinarian will likely refer you to a veterinary ophthalmologist, who specializes in eye diseases, to ensure your cat is diagnosed correctly. In other cases, however, the entire lens may be opaque, in which case total blindness will result in an affected eye. A properly balanced pet food for your cat's life stage can often provide the essential nutrients to support your cat's eye health. Cats that have uveitis may blink or squint often. Cataracts affect the lens of the eye. Go to accessible site Close modal window. The blood test can detect kidney disease and other diseases and conditions that may affect your pet's health. As used herein, denotes registered trademark status in the U. Treating the condition will improve your pet's health, but won't get rid of the cataracts.