Symptoms of cataracts in cats: how to identify and treat them

Cataracts are one of the most common eye problems in cats and also one of the most troublesome, as they progressively reduce vision and can eventually lead to blindness. If you live with a feline, it's essential to have their eyes checked regularly to detect changes early and prevent complications.

Therefore, this time I'm going to explain in detail how to tell if your cat has cataracts , what their causes are, how they are diagnosed, and what treatment options exist so you can help them as soon as possible. Check their eyes from time to time and consult your veterinarian if you notice any changes.

What are cataracts?

Cataracts are opacities of the eye's lens , the transparent internal lens located just behind the iris and pupil. Under normal conditions, this lens focuses light correctly onto the retina so the cat can see clearly. When a cataract forms, the lens loses its transparency , and a whitish, bluish, or grayish cloudiness appears , obstructing the normal passage of light.

This is one of the leading causes of vision loss and blindness in both pets and humans. In cats, however, it can go unnoticed for a while because, especially if only one eye is affected, the animal compensates very well using the other eye and its sense of smell . This can delay diagnosis if subtle changes are not observed.

Cataracts can be partial or total , affect one or both eyes , and progress slowly or relatively quickly depending on their cause. Furthermore, it's important to distinguish them from so-called " false cataracts " or discoloration due to sediment in the lens: in the latter, the lens is not completely clouded, while in true cataracts, its internal structure is altered.

What are the causes of cataracts in cats?

Although many pet owners associate them solely with age, cataracts in cats can appear for various reasons. Knowing the possible causes helps identify them earlier and prevent some of them.

• Intraocular inflammation (uveitis): is the main cause of cataracts in cats. When the inside of the eye becomes inflamed, substances are released that alter the normal nutrition of the lenscausing its fibers to become disorganized and opaque.
• Infectious diseasesUveitis may be related to feline viruses (such as feline leukemia, immunodeficiency, infectious peritonitis, or herpesvirus), as well as with bacterial or protozoal infections that affect the eye.
• Hereditary or congenital originAlthough less common than in dogs, hereditary cataracts have been described in humans. breeds such as Persian, Burmese, or BengaliIn these cases, the cat may be born with the disorder or develop it at a relatively young age.
• Systemic diseases: pathologies such as d or alterations in calcium levels (hypocalcemia) can favor the formation of cataracts by modifying the metabolic balance of the lens.
• Eye traumaBlows, penetrating wounds, or foreign bodies in the eye can damage the lens and cause becomes irreversibly clouded.
• Chronic uveitis and toxinsProlonged inflammation or exposure to certain drugs and toxins They can also end up affecting the lens of the eye.

Cataracts are somewhat more common in older cats , but they can also appear in young animals if there is a significant underlying cause, such as severe uveitis, trauma, or metabolic disease.

What are the symptoms?

Cats are experts at hiding pain and discomfort . In the wild, an animal that appears weak has less chance of survival, and our domestic felines still retain this instinct to conceal symptoms. Even though they now live in a safe home with a loving family, they often take time to show obvious eye problems.

Therefore, we need to be very attentive and start to worry if we see any of these symptoms, both in the eyes and in their daily behavior:

• Color change in the eyesYou can notice a whitish, gray or bluish stain in the pupil, or that the eye seems to have an internal "fog", especially in low light when the pupil dilates more.
• Change in the shape or size of the pupilThe pupil can be seen more irregular, deformed, or with poorly defined edges, which indicates internal alterations.
• Insecurity while walkingThe cat walks slower and hesitantas if he couldn't see what was in front of him properly.
• Abnormally high steps: lifts its legs high when walking, as if "climbing" small obstacles that it previously overcame effortlessly.
• Clumsiness and blows: trips over familiar furniture or objects, bumps into walls or doors or miscalculates distances when jumping.
• Difficulty in calculating distances: no longer jumps to high places he used to climb without a problem, hesitates before jumping or completely avoids certain heights.
• Problems recognizing people: seems not to immediately recognize familiar people or animals until He approaches to smell them or listen to them carefully.
• Very wet eyes and tearing: it is appreciated excessive tears or secretions in the eye area, sometimes accompanied by nasal discharge if there is an associated infection.
• Red or sore eyesThe cat keeps its eyes half-closedThey scratch them frequently, avoid light, or show signs of pain when viewed up close.
• Light intolerance (photophobia)Seek out dark places, avoid brightly lit areas or Close your eyes when entering a brightly lit place.

Furthermore, if the cataract is related to systemic diseases such as diabetes, other signs may appear, such as increased thirst and urination , weight loss, or changes in appetite. If one or more of these symptoms appear, it is essential to consult a veterinarian, as cataracts can progress to cause complete blindness and other complications if left untreated.

How are cataracts diagnosed in cats?

If our cats have cataracts, or we suspect they might, we should take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible. There, the professional will perform a complete eye exam to confirm the diagnosis and assess the overall condition of the eye.

The evaluation usually follows several steps:

1. Anamnesis and general examinationThe vet will ask you about the symptoms you have observed, when you first noticed them and if the cat suffers from other illnesses. It will also perform a complete physical check-up to detect signs of systemic pathologies.
2. Observation of behavior and external visual examination: how the cat moves around the consultation room is assessed, if Avoid obstacles or get hitThe eye is examined externally for redness, swelling, wounds, foreign bodies, or abnormal secretions.
3. Slit Lamp ExamWith this instrument, the veterinarian can observe in detail the internal structures of the eye (cornea, anterior chamber, iris, and lens). To do this, it is common to dilate the pupils with special drops that facilitate the visualization of the lens.
4. OphthalmoscopyThe eye is examined using an ophthalmoscope fundus to assess the retina, optic nerve head, and blood vessels. This allows us to know if the The retina is healthy. and whether cataract surgery is worth considering.
5. Intraocular pressure measurementIt helps detect problems such as glaucoma to determine the type of eye inflammation (hypertensive or not), a key piece of information for choosing the appropriate treatment.
6. Ocular ultrasound and electroretinogram (ERG)If the cataract is so dense that it prevents the retina from being seen, a procedure is performed eye ultrasound and, in many cases, an ERG to check that the retina is functioning correctly and there are no detachments.

Depending on the findings, the veterinarian may also recommend blood and urine tests or other general tests to look for underlying diseases such as diabetes, viral infections, or immune system disorders that could explain the appearance of the cataract.

How is the treatment?

Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the veterinarian will assess the severity of the cataract , its cause, and the condition of the other structures of the eye. With this information, they will be able to recommend the best treatment option for each case.

Depending on the severity of the case, treatment may consist of applying anti-inflammatory eye drops to control uveitis, pain, and redness, or surgical removal of the affected lens , which will be replaced by an artificial lens (intraocular lens) if the condition of the eye allows it.

It's important to know that, just as in dogs, there is no medical treatment that dissolves a cataract once it has formed. Eye drops and medications help control inflammation, pain, and the underlying disease , but the clouding of the lens can only be removed through specialized surgery.

The most commonly used technique is phacoemulsification , similar to that performed in humans. Ultrasound is used to fragment and aspirate the opaque lens, and, when possible, an intraocular lens is implanted to restore good vision to the cat. Before surgery, it is essential to assess retinal function and address the underlying causes of the cataract.

Following surgery, the cat requires strict anti-inflammatory treatment with eye drops and sometimes oral medication, as well as frequent checkups during the first few weeks. When everything progresses well and the cause of the cataract is controlled, the post-surgical success rate can easily exceed 90% , with a clear improvement in the animal's quality of life.

In mild cataracts or in very old cats, a conservative approach is sometimes chosen: inflammation is controlled , the underlying disease is treated, and the cat's environment is adapted (keeping it indoors, avoiding sudden changes in furniture arrangement, and offering safe routes) so that it can continue to function safely even though its vision is limited.

Regularly observing your cat's eyes, visiting the veterinarian at the slightest change, and following their instructions regarding treatment and check-ups is the best way to protect their vision and maintain a good quality of life even if a cataract appears.

I hope it has been useful to you 