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 cataracts in cats 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, cataracts in cats, which is attached to the back of the eye.

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:.

Cataracts in cats

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. The lens is made of mostly proteins and water. Clouding of the lens occurs due to changes in the proteins and lens fibers. Cataracts in cats are less common than they are in humans and dogs. Furthermore, while humans and dogs can develop cataracts due to diabetes, cats with diabetes typically don't get cataracts. They are also most common among older cats, and Burmese and Himalayan cats are genetically predisposed to the condition.

Impulses then travel to the brain for conversion to images, cataracts in cats. Just like people, cats are more likely to develop cataracts as they get older. The Role of Nutrition in Feline Cataracts Feline cataracts can occur in kittens as a result of inadequate nutrition.

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 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. Your veterinarian will likely refer you to a veterinary ophthalmologist, who specializes in eye diseases, to ensure your cat is diagnosed correctly. The following tests help confirm the diagnosis:. The only treatment for a cataract is to remove it through surgery.

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. Cataracts can often be treated in pets, and there are signs and symptoms you can watch for in your feline friend that will allow you to catch issues early.

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Immature cataract involves a larger part of the lens, which may start to affect vision. They can occur in one or both eyes. Thankfully, many cases of feline cataracts can be successfully treated. For Dogs. Cataracts can be removed with a surgery called phacoemulsification. United States. Although cataracts often don't have any obvious signs, your pet's pupils might look cloudy or appear white or blue-gray instead of black in some cases. Feline Cataracts. When cataracts affect a big part of the lens, they cause vision loss and may lead to blindness. Saturday: am - pm. Skip Navigation.

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Friday: am - pm. Avoid moving your furniture around and increasing disorientation in your vision-impaired cat. While it is a difficult process, the success rate for surgery is high, with nine out of ten cats having good but not perfect vision after recovering from surgery. In cats, diabetic cataracts are relatively rare. Watch our Video. Published by. Uveitis is inflammation inside the eye that can result from an infection, disease, or trauma. But, he adds, the behavioral signs may be too subtle to notice. When a cataract develops, the lens is not able to focus the light down, leading to vision changes. Immature cataract involves a larger part of the lens, which may start to affect vision. Cataracts are diagnosed by an ophthalmic exam of the eyes. Under the direction of Learn More.