Have you noticed that your cat's eyes have started to cloud over? This may be a sign that your cat is developing cataracts. Today, our vets in Grants Pass will provide information on cataracts in cats and what to look out for.
What are cataracts?
A cataract is when the eye's lens becomes cloudy, interfering with clear vision.
Cats of any age, sex, or breed can develop cataracts, and some breeds, such as Himalayas, Birmans, and British Shorthairs, may have a genetic predisposition to inherited cataracts.
The severity of the cataract can greatly affect the cat's vision.
What causes cataracts in cats?
There are various potential causes of cataracts. Any damage to the lens can lead to the development of a cataract.
Causes of cataracts in cats include the following:
- Inflammation Within The Eye
- Genetic Or Hereditary Factors
- Trauma To The Eye
- Metabolic Diseases, Such As Diabetes Or High Blood Pressure
- Nutritional Imbalances
- Radiation Exposure
- Cancer
- Infections Such As Viral, Bacterial, Fungal, Or Protozoal
The most common cause of cataracts in cats is inflammation within the eye, which is also known as uveitis. This inflammation can occur due to various underlying disease processes. Uveitis can lead the body's immune system to incorrectly identify the lens as a foreign object, leading to the development of cataracts.
What are the signs of cataracts?
Our Grants Pass veterinarians often detect cataracts early in their development during a routine physical exam. However, these cats may not show signs of cataracts at home because they have not yet progressed to the point where they affect the cat's vision.
It is important to note that cataracts do not cause all hazy eyes. As cats age, the lens becomes cloudy due to an aging change known as nuclear or lenticular sclerosis.
If you're curious, you can use your favorite search engine to look for 'cataracts in cats pictures' and compare what you see with your cat. If you suspect something, contact your veterinarian first.
How are cataracts in cats treated?
The most effective treatment for cataracts is surgery. This involves breaking down and removing the cataract, known as phacoemulsification, and replacing the eye's lens with an artificial lens.
If your cat has significant inflammation in the eye, cataract surgery may not be an option. Unfortunately, no medications can dissolve cataracts or slow their progression, meaning that cataracts will persist. Thankfully, cataracts are not painful, and cats typically adjust well to blindness.
Medications such as corticosteroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory eye drops are used to reduce the inflammation in the eyes of cats with untreated cataracts.
Although these drugs won't impact the cataract, managing inflammation to prevent glaucoma is crucial, a potential side effect of both inflammation and cataracts.
Since glaucoma is challenging to treat medically and often requires eye removal, the medical treatment of feline cataracts mainly focuses on preventing secondary glaucoma.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.
