Cataracts in 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, cataracts in cats. A cataract may develop rapidly or over a period of time.

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. If this small structure becomes cloudy due to a cataract, it can no longer focus light resulting in blurry vision.

Cataracts in cats

Cataracts Could Be the Problem. 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. Cataracts occur when the clear lens inside your cat's eye becomes cloudy. The lens focuses light rays on the retina, the part of the eye that converts the rays into electrical impulses. Impulses then travel to the brain for conversion to images. If the lens is cloudy, light doesn't reach the retina uniformly, causing hazy or blurry vision. Small cataracts may not affect your pet's vision very much, while large cataracts can have a significant impact on your pet's eyesight. Your veterinarian may use one of these classifications for your cat's cataracts:.

Cat Eye Problems.

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.

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.

Cataracts in cats

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.

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Congenital and hereditary ocular abnormalities in cats. In This Article Summary. The blood test can detect kidney disease and other diseases and conditions that may affect your pet's health. In cats who are good surgical candidates, cataracts can be cured with surgical removal. Surgery isn't always needed for cataracts. Although eye drops treat inflammation and infection, your cat will still have cataracts. No matter what the cause of your cat's cataracts is, your veterinarian may recommend surgery if your pet is having trouble seeing. The cataract only affects a small portion of the lens and doesn't interfere with vision. If it is not possible to implant an IOL, your cat still will be able to see after surgery but will be farsighted. The lens helps to focus vision as light that passes through the eye, allowing your cat to see. Cornell Feline Health Center. 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. Cataracts in cats are less common than they are in humans and dogs. Puerto Rico English.

Cat cataracts make it difficult for your kitty to see the world.

During cataract surgery, a veterinarian removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with an artificial lens. The lens is made of mostly proteins and water. The cataract only affects a small portion of the lens and doesn't interfere with vision. Although cataracts are often associated with aging, this eye problem can also affect younger cats. Genetic cataracts are more likely to affect certain breeds, such as Himalayan, Persian, British Shorthair, and Birman cats, according to Cats. Identifying and addressing the underlying cause of cataracts is the primary approach to treatment. France - France. Surgery isn't an option for all cats, as animals must be healthy enough to tolerate a surgical procedure. If this small structure becomes cloudy due to a cataract, it can no longer focus light resulting in blurry vision. Prompt treatment of inflammation is important, as inflammation can be a factor in glaucoma.