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A sudden change in your cat’s ability to see can be alarming and may incite panic in even the most seasoned owner. Confirmation of blindness by your veterinarian may feel similarly overwhelming.
This article discusses sudden blindness in cats, including its causes, signs, and dangers, to help you navigate this condition calmly and confidently. With a little knowledge, patience, and extra TLC, you and your cat can adapt to a “new normal” in no time!
What is Sudden Blindness in Cats?
Blindness in cats may be acute or sudden. However, slowly progressive vision loss also occurs and is more common. While a decrease in visual acuity may gradually occur over weeks or months, blindness may still appear suddenly, as felines can often compensate for a gradual decrease in visual ability until a significant amount of vision is lost.
Before discussing the causes of blindness in cats, discussing the normal feline eye may be helpful. Overall, cat eyes function similarly to those of humans.
- Cornea: The transparent covering on the front of the eye that provides protection and helps focus light onto the retina
- Pupil: The black, circular area in the middle of the eye that allows light from the environment to enter the eye
- Iris: The colored, circular area that surrounds the pupil and regulates the amount of light entering the eye
- Lens: The transparent, biconvex-shaped structure that sits behind the iris and focuses light on the retina
- Retina: The thin layer at the back of the eye that contains photoreceptors (cells that sense light). Photoreceptors trigger impulses that travel via the optic nerve to the brain, where visual images are formed.
- Optic nerve: The bundle of nerve fibers that carry electrical impulses to the brain
Damage to or disease affecting any of these important structures has the potential to lead to blindness in felines.
What Are the Causes of Sudden Blindness in Cats?
The causes of blindness in cats include several disease processes. If your cat is showing sudden signs of vision loss, the following conditions may be considered:
- Hypertension: Hypertension, or elevated blood pressure, is a common cause of blindness in felines. It leads to blindness through retinal detachment, in which the retina separates from its supportive tissue at the back of the eye. Hypertension often occurs secondary to diseases common in older cats, such as hyperthyroidism and chronic kidney disease. The prognosis for a return of vision after retinal detachment is variable, and permanent blindness may result.
- Uveitis: Anterior uveitis, or inflammation of the iris and ciliary body, is a commonly diagnosed eye condition in felines that may lead to vision loss. Uveitis in cats is often associated with infectious diseases, such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline Leukemia Virus, and Feline Infectious Peritonitis. Uveitis may also occur secondary to cancer, such as lymphoma or melanoma.
- Trauma: Blunt trauma to the head, as well as trauma to the eyes (such as penetrating wounds or deep scratches of the cornea), can result in sudden blindness in felines.
- Cataracts: Cataracts can lead to vision loss when the translucent lens of the eye becomes opaque or cloudy. Various conditions, including uveitis, genetic factors, or trauma, may cause feline cataracts.
- Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a painful condition that may lead to blindness through elevated pressures within the eye and the resultant destruction of the retina and optic nerve head. It can occur in one or both eyes and is often seen secondary to uveitis. If identified early, medical or surgical management may help preserve vision; however, progressive vision loss is likely, and surgical removal of affected eyes may be recommended.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy: Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is a group of inherited, degenerative diseases affecting the retina. Cats with PRA typically have gradual vision loss. However, this may occur suddenly in felines with late-stage disease.
- Retinal Degeneration: Retinal degeneration can occur due to dietary deficiency or secondary to medication. Taurine is an essential amino acid required by cats for the normal functioning of various body systems; cats eating an imbalanced, homemade diet may be at risk of developing taurine deficiency, leading to retinal degeneration and blindness. Administration of the antibiotic Enrofloxacin in felines has also been shown to be associated with acute, typically permanent blindness.
What Are the Signs of Sudden Blindness in Cats?
Signs of vision loss or blindness in cats may range from subtle to fairly obvious and can include the following:
- Walking along walls, as opposed to walking through the middle of a room
- Bumping into furniture or other objects
- Acting confused, anxious, scared, or “clingy”
- Difficulty locating objects, such as litterboxes or food bowls
- Walking in a crouched position with the body held close to the ground
- Acting hesitant to jump on or off objects or furniture
- Eyes that appear red, cloudy, squinty, bulging, asymmetrical, or persistently dilated
While the previous signs are not always indicative of blindness, they are nevertheless concerning changes and should prompt a timely visit to the veterinarian for further evaluation.
What Are the Potential Dangers of Sudden Blindness in Cats?
Cats that suddenly become blind may be at an increased risk of injury due to falling or running into sharp or dangerous objects. Blocking off dangerous areas of the home, such as high ledges, steep staircases, or hot fireplaces, will keep blind felines safe as they adapt to sudden vision loss.
Similarly, blind cats that go outdoors may be at a higher risk of injury from predators or vehicles; they may also be more likely to get lost in a less familiar, ever-changing environment. Blind cats may still have a strong desire to go outside, however, especially if outdoor access had been a part of their previous lifestyle. Providing supervised outdoor access with a leash and well-fitting harness may be an option for the adventurous blind feline. Catios or other enclosed spaces may also be a safe way to provide enrichment for cats who desire to be outdoors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Sudden Blindness in Cats Reversible?
Whether a blind cat can regain their vision largely depends on the specific cause of vision loss. Early diagnosis and treatment for eye abnormalities often result in the best outcomes, but in many cases, blindness may be irreversible.
How is Blindness Diagnosed?
Your veterinarian may use visual tests to confirm blindness in your cat. These include observing for a menace response, evaluating the cat’s ability to track objects through their field of vision, and simply observing their behavior in an unfamiliar setting, such as an exam room.
If your veterinarian suspects your cat is blind, additional tests such as blood work, ophthalmoscope evaluation, tonometry (measuring eye pressures), and blood pressure evaluation may be recommended to identify an underlying cause.
How Do I Care for a Blind Cat?
Maintaining a consistent environment for your blind cat will help them navigate the house more easily. This includes keeping furniture and household fixtures in a similar arrangement, as well as keeping their litterbox, food bowls, and beds in consistent locations.
Providing enrichment for your blind companion will help them continue to live a happy, fulfilled life. Opportunities for play enjoyed by blind felines can include noise-making or treat-dispensing toys. Introducing a scratching post may also be a great way for a vision-impaired cat to express normal feline behaviors.
Conclusion
Several conditions may lead to blindness in felines. Seeking prompt veterinary attention for any eye abnormalities or behavior changes noted in your cat will provide the best opportunity for treatment and addressing any underlying health issues. If vision loss or blindness is suspected to be permanent, a little extra love, patience, and understanding will go a long way to help your cat continue to live a happy life!
Featured Image Credit: santypan, Shutterstock
2 Responses
can ear problems have anything to do with my cats vision?
Dear Karen,
Thank you for your question. Certain ear conditions can indeed affect your cat’s eyes or balance. Inflammation of the middle ear (otitis media) can damage specific nerves that pass through this area, potentially leading to issues like Horner’s syndrome and neurogenic dry eye – the latter being more common in dogs. However, ear problems don’t typically result in blindness as such. If you have further concerns, we have a team of vets available to help answer any questions you may have about your cat’s health. Don’t hesitate to reach out at http://www.PangoVet.com.”