cataracts in cats age

As cats age the lens often develops a cloudy appearance due to an aging change known as nuclear sclerosis or lenticular sclerosis. Although some cats show no signs of decreased vision especially if only one eye is affected in most advanced cases cats have vision deficiencies.

Cataract Canine Animal Eye Clinic

Cataracts in cats dont occur very frequently and are even less common in younger cats.

. Common causes of cataracts in cats are. If you notice a worrying change in eye color your veterinarian can determine if it is nuclear sclerosis. Most people tend to think of cataracts as something that just comes along with age.

Inflammation as with cat cancer glaucoma trauma autoimmune diseases or infection Lens dislocation typically after trauma or inflammation Cats may also develop cataracts that are related to other diseases such as diabetes. This is normal and does not cause blindness see handout Lenticular Sclerosis in Cats for information on this condition. As cats age the lens often develops a cloudy appearance due to an aging change known as nuclear sclerosis or lenticular sclerosis.

Cataracts occur when an opaque area develops in the lens of the eye. When the cataract affects the entire eye this will mean that the cat is no longer able to see. Cataracts are easy to confuse with nuclear sclerosis a normal change in eye color in older cats over the age of seven.

The most common causes of feline cataracts are as follows. Only your veterinarian can distinguish between a cataract and nuclear sclerosis. Cataracts is a disease involving an alteration and loss of transparency of the lens or intraocular lens which makes visibility difficult.

Diabetes mellitus in cats. When a cat develops a cataract the normally clear lens develops a. Genetic or hereditary factors Birmans Himalayans and British Shorthairs may be genetically predisposed Eye trauma Inflammation within the eye iritis or uveitis Radiation exposure Infection Nutritional imbalances Metabolic disorders including diabetes.

And older cats often get them as a natural consequence of the aging process. Cataracts may occur in any age or gender of the cats. Pink eyes in cats.

Many cats with cataracts are poor candidates for surgery because they have inflammation within the eye. The rate of progression of this disease depends on the underlying cause of the cataract the location of cataract and the age of the animal. The cataracts may affect 1 or both eyes.

This is normal and does not cause blindness. Neoplasm or tumor in eyes. Phacoemulsification has shown more than a 90 percent success rate in cats.

Cataracts may be caused by a variety of underlying pathologic processes in cats including nutrition2-3 genetic factors4-6 trauma7-9 metabolic disorders1011 radiation12 and intraocular inflammation13-16 The most common cause of cataracts in cats is uveitis secondary to systemic disease1 Uveitis may cause cataract formation or lens. Other less common causes of cataracts in cats include old age retinal diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy displacement of the lens exposure to concentrated microwaves or radiation therapy electrocution and certain rare. Other potential causes include traumatic injury that results in a perforated lens and exposure to certain drugs or toxic substances radiation or electric shock.

In many cases however the cause of. Poor nutrition in early life. If your cat has undergone surgery to treat the cataract it may require some time to recover in the hospital.

Cataracts in cats can develop due to. High blood pressure in cats. This change can make the lens appear white but it does not affect vision.

Feline cataracts is a common eye problem in cats especially as they get older. Chronic exposure to hazardous radiations. Infectious diseases or inflammation of the eyes.

In certain cat breeds the eye condition can show up in younger cats under 5 years of age. Symptoms of cataract in cats Image credit. Direct trauma of the eye.

The condition is manifested through the eye lens becoming opaque and limiting the ability of the pet to see.

Cat Cataracts Signs Treatment And Prevention Daily Paws