Cats and Cataracts

What do cats have in common with cataracts? Nothing! A cataract is a clouding of the lens which has causes vision to diminish. The lens in the eye is a transparent, flexible tissue which focuses light as it passes through it onto the retina to create the images we see. In other words, it is like a window of a house through which we see the outside. So, if your window becomes foggy, you might not be able to see clearly, and the foggier it gets, the less able you are to see through it – and that’s cataract.

Cataract can be caused by old age, it could be congenital, eye trauma or it could be associated with diabetes. Here are some signs that if you observe your pet exhibiting, you should take it to the vet:

• Cloudy pupils in one or both eyes
• Unwillingness to climb or jump
• Watery eyes
• Other behaviour associated with vision loss, such as bumping into things

However, not that not all cloudiness in the eye is associated with cataract. If you notice any behavioural or physical change in your pet, kindly visit your veterinarian.