CATARACTS IN CATS

Cataracts occur when the normally transparent lens inside the eye becomes cloudy preventing light from reaching the retina. The cloudy eye lenses stop the light from reaching the retina of the cat’s eye; this could block vision or even make the cat blind (in extreme cases). Cataracts are generally different from other eye problems that are on the outside of the eye. Cataracts begin inside the eye lens.

While cataracts appear more commonly in dogs, cats do get them. Cats develop cataracts for several reasons, such as injury, chronic inflammation, genetics and disease, etc. As soon as you find out your cat has cataracts, you need to diagnose and treat them so that your cat will keep his or her vision intact and will not suffer additional consequences.

Causes

There are various ways that cataracts form in cats. They happen when there is a change in either the protein composition of the eye lens or when something alters the way that the eye lens forms.

Eye Trauma and Injury

Trauma or injury to an eye is one of the most prevalent reasons for cataracts to develop in cats. Damage to the eye from a cut, a blow to the head that damages an eye, a dog bite, or another type of trauma to the eye will all damage the lens and result in cataracts developing.

Inflammation Inside the Eye

Another leading reason why cats develop cataracts is due to chronic inflammation inside the eye (uveitis), which is one of the leading causes of cataracts in cats. Uveitis is a constant inflammation that damages parts of the eye. It interferes with normal vision and results in cataracts forming.

Aging

As with dogs, older cats are also subject to age related cataracts. While these tend to take longer to advance than those that are formed from direct damage to the lens, it is crucial to monitor them at least periodically.

Underlying Health Conditions

Some diseases can predispose a cat to develop cataracts. For example, diabetes has been shown to produce cataracts in almost every domesticated species; however, diabetes is much less likely to induce cataracts in cats compared to dogs.

Symptoms

Behavioral changes that develop over time can be slow and unnoticeable by owners. Because of this, many Cats will experience symptoms from a variety of locations within the eye, depending on the severity and location of the cataract.

Common Signs include:

• Cloudy, gray, or bluish appearance of the eye
• Difficulty navigating in low light
• Bumping into furniture or objects
• Reluctance to jump or climb
• Changes in eye appearance
• Reduced confidence when moving around
• Increased sensitivity to bright light
• Signs of eye discomfort if inflammation is present.

Some Cats adapt well to their gradual loss of vision. As such, some Cats may show very subtle changes in their behavior due to their cataracts.

Risks and Complications

The consequences of untreated cataracts are much more than just problems with your cat’s vision. When the lens inside the eye is disrupted, it may also cause the eye to become inflamed. If the eye becomes inflamed, then your cat may experience pain and further damage to the eye.

Possible complications of untreated cataracts include:

• Chronic eye inflammation (uveitis)
• Increased pressure inside the eye (glaucoma)
• Lens displacement
• Permanent vision loss
• Eye pain in advanced cases.

Diagnosis

A veterinarian’s initial goal when diagnosing cataracts is to determine the presence of cataracts and what might have caused them. He or she also wants to find out if any other eye problems may require medical attention.

Eye Examination

Your veterinarian will use special equipment to examine your cat’s lens, retina and other parts of the eye. Your vet may perform tests to measure the pressure in your cat’s eyes to see if he has developed Glaucoma. He or she may also test for inflammation within the eye.

Additional Testing

If your veterinarian suspects that there is another illness (such as Diabetes) which may have contributed to the development of cataracts, they may recommend blood work. Ocular ultrasound or electroretinography (ERG) may be recommended before surgery to assess retinal health.

Early detection is very important. Some things that appear to be cataracts could actually be something else that requires a different type of treatment.

Treatment

Treatment for cataracts is determined by the size and location of the cataract, the reason for its formation and the overall health of the eye.

Medical Management

There is no medication available that can make a cataract disappear or turn back into a normal lens. There is, however, medication available for managing secondary symptoms associated with the cataract.

Your veterinarian may recommend the following types of medication:

• Anti-inflammatory eye drops
• Pain relievers when necessary
• Treatment for any underlying infections or diseases.

It is extremely important to manage inflammation because unmanaged inflammation can lead to further damage.

Cataract Surgery

The only method of restoring vision in cats with severe cataracts is surgery. During surgery, your veterinarian removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with an artificial lens.

However, many cats are not good candidates for surgery due to a variety of reasons, including poor health. Therefore, your veterinarian must perform a complete eye exam to ensure that the retina and other vital structures are healthy enough to withstand successful surgery.

Prevention

Many cataracts are unavoidable due to their causes, including genetics, age and injury. The good news is that there are many things you can do to promote your cat’s eye health and reduce their risk of developing a cataract.

• Schedule regular veterinary checkups, especially if your cat is an older adult.
• Take your cat to see a veterinarian if she has experienced an eye injury or her eyes appear red.
• Monitor for changes in vision or behavior
• Manage underlying diseases such as diabetes
• Prevent fights and injuries with safe indoor environments.