Feline Cataracts: An Overview

Dog Breeds

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.

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Definition of Cataracts

A “cataract” is any opacity of the lens of the eye, which impacts the ability of the lens to absorb light and therefore adversely affects vision. Cats of either gender can develop cataracts, and certain breeds are especially at risk. Cataracts are more common in older animals but can be present at birth or develop very early in life. Cats have cataracts much less frequently than dogs.

How Cataracts Affect Cats

Regardless of the cause of cataracts, the clinical signs are the same. Cats with cataracts have cloudy pupils (or icy-blue “chips” in the pupils), and have impaired vision in one or both eyes, ranging from mild sight problems to complete blindness. Cataracts can appear suddenly or slowly. Some of the signs associated with impaired eyesight include abnormal ambulation, unsure footing, tripping over or bumping into objects, walking into walls, misjudging distances and not recognizing familiar people. Cataracts are normally painless, but they can cause painful and permanent eye damage if left untreated. Cats can develop a condition called nuclear sclerosis which also causes a cloudy appearance on the lens of the eye. Many owners confuse this condition with cataracts, but unlike cataracts nuclear sclerosis does not impair a cat’s vision.

Causes of Cataracts in Cats

Cataracts typically have a strong genetic component. Other contributing causes in cats include nutritional deficiencies, low blood calcium levels, exposure to toxins, radiation, electric shock and blunt or penetrating trauma. Cataracts can occur spontaneously and tend to become more common with increasing age.

Preventing Cataracts in Cats

The only way to reduce the prevalence of cataracts is to remove affected and carrier animals from the breeding population. Even this will not guarantee that future generations will be free of the condition.

Special Notes

While cataracts almost always affect a cat’s vision, they do not affect its overall health. Most cats adjust to their vision deficiencies extremely well even without treatment. However, surgical treatment for cataracts is highly successful, and the prognosis for cats with cataracts is excellent if they are identified and treated early, and of course kept inside for their safety and well-being.

Causes of Feline Cataracts