A cataract is defined by opacity of the lens on the eye. A cataract
reduces the ability of the lens to absorb light and as a result the
vision is affected.
Cataracts in cats often occur as a natural process of aging. In some cases, cats can develop cataracts due to nutrition deficiency, injury to the eye, and a genetically inherited condition. While cats do not develop cataracts often, it is a condition that veterinarians are seeing more often in cats due to the increased longevity of today’s house cat.
The main symptom of cataracts in cats is an icy blue spot that develops on the pupil of the eye. The spot may appear small and increase slowly over time, or the spot may quickly spread over the pupil. In advanced cataracts, the vision of the cat can be severely affected. However, some cats do not show any symptoms of decreased vision especially if one eye is still normal.
If you suspect that your cat has a cataract, there are a number of diagnostic tests that your veterinarian will perform to confirm that a cataract is present and to find out why the cataract appeared. To find out exactly what has happened to your cat’s eye, the veterinarian will perform a few tests which include: the Schirmer tear test, staining the eye with a fluorescein dye, using a tonometer to test the pressure of the eye, and using a slit lamp instrument to examine the lens of the eye.
Cataracts in cats may be treated through surgery, and in some cases
prescription medications may help to increase the cat’s vision around
the cataract. However, many pet owners decide not to treat cataracts as
many cats adjust to the loss of vision without any troubles.