To diagnose cataracts, your veterinarian may perform a variety of tests such as the eye exam and pressure tests. Because of this, a cat with cataracts might also squint or have discharge, redness and swelling around the eye. While cataracts aren't considered painful, some conditions that cause them can be. Tentative or cautious behavior in unfamiliar places or around stairs.Behavioral changes (hiding, reduced activity, bumping into familiar objects, difficulty finding their food bowl and/or litter box).Hazy or cloudy appearance of one or both eyes.Signs & Symptoms of Cataracts in CatsĬats are very good at hiding discomfort and vision changes, so it's crucial to look for potential signs of cataracts, such as: However, it's not always possible to identify the cause of cataracts. Cats may also develop cataracts that are related to other diseases such as diabetes or hypertensionĬataracts may develop as a result of uveitis, a type of eye inflammation that can occur as a result of infectious diseases like feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukemia virus, feline infectious peritonitis and toxoplasmosis.Lens dislocation (typically after trauma or inflammation).Inflammation (as with cat cancer, glaucoma, trauma, autoimmune diseases or infection).However, cats of all ages and breeds can be affected. They are also most common among older cats, and Burmese and Himalayan cats are genetically predisposed to the condition. Furthermore, while humans and dogs can develop cataracts due to diabetes, cats with diabetes typically don't get cataracts. Clouding of the lens occurs due to changes in the proteins and lens fibers.Ĭataracts in cats are less common than they are in humans and dogs. The lens is made of mostly proteins and water. If this small structure becomes cloudy due to a cataract, it can no longer focus light resulting in blurry vision. The lens helps to focus vision as light that passes through the eye, allowing your cat to see. What Is a Cataract?Ĭataracts affect the lens of the eye. Thankfully, many cases of feline cataracts can be successfully treated. Cataracts in cats are rare, but the disease is still serious if left untreated, it may lead to blindness. In humans, cataracts are the world's leading cause of blindness.
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