When we think of cats and their senses, we usually think of their keen sense of smell and acute hearing. Their eyes play a major role in their survival as well. It is why you must look closely into your cat’s eyes to make sure they are not experiencing any cat vision problems.
How do Cats See? cat’s eyes function pretty much like human eyes. As a matter of fact, their eyes have the same elements: corneas, irises, lens, retinas and optic nerves. In addition, cat’s eyes contain two more elements:
- Haw or Third Eyelid – it is a thin membrane that protects a cat’s eyeball from getting scratched and helps keep the eye moist.
- Tapetum Lucidum – if you have ever shined a light at a cat in the dark you will notice that their eyes seem to glow. This is commonly referred to as eye shine. It is caused by the tapetum lucidum which is a layer of tissue in a cat’s eye that reflects light coming in. This tissue gives a cat the ability to see in the dark (it does not mean it is being possessed a demon).
Healthy Cat Eyes: What to Look for – knowing what healthy cat eyes look like is just as important as being able to spot unhealthy eyes in cats. According to Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine’s Cornell Feline Health Center, “Healthy feline eyes will be bright and clear, the pupils will be of equal size, and the cat will not be squinting with either eye. There will be little or no tearing in the corners of the eye; the tissue lining the eyelid will be a healthy pink; and the membrane of the third eyelid will not protrude.”*
Signs Your Cat is having Vision Problems – start by looking into your cat’s eyes. If the eyes appear cloudy, the color of the iris changes, or the pupils are different sizes take your cat to veterinarian for a complete eye examination. Other signs your cat is having trouble seeing could include bumping into things, tripping on the stairs, having difficulty finding the food bowl or litter box.
Common Cat Eye Problems – cataracts, glaucoma, degeneration of the retina, and tumors are the most common eye problems in cats.
Cat Vision Problems caused by Viruses and Bacteria – Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), Feline Infectious Peritonitis Virus (FIP), Feline Herpesvirus (FHP), Conjunctivitis in cats (aka pink eye), and Toxoplasama are known to cause eye problems in cats.
Blindness in Cats – Uveitis and retinal detachment are the two most common maladies that can cause blindness in cats.
- Uveitis – is an inflammation of the middle part of eye that consists of the iris, the ciliary body and choroid (aka the uvea). Infectious organisms such as FIV, FeLV, and FIP are known to cause uveitis. If left untreated, uveitis will lead to blindness in cats. Symptoms of uveitis are squinting, swollen third eyelid, enlarged eyes, and inflammation of the eyeball.
- Retinal Detachment – as the name implies, is when the retina becomes separated from its underlying tissue. Retinal detachment is a good sign that your cat might be suffering from high blood pressure, a highly active thyroid, or a kidney disease.
If your furry friend is experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, take it to a veterinarian right away.
In summary, cats depend on their vision a lot more than humans like to think. If your cat starts running into things or has trouble finding the food bowl, chances are it is having vision problems. The most common eye problems in cats are cataracts, glaucoma, degeneration of the retina, and tumors. Some virus and bacteria such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), Conjunctivitis (aka pink eye), and Toxoplasama can cause eye problems in cats as well. Uveitis, FIV, and FeLV can cause blindness in cats. Kidney disease, high blood pressure and thyroid gland issues can cause blindness too. If your cat is showing signs of eye problems, take it to a veterinarian as soon as possible. It just might save your cat’s eye sight.
*Looking for Trouble. (2014) https://www.vet.cornell.edu/FHC/health_information/vision.cfm Accessed on May 12, 2016.
Has your cat ever experienced problems in its eyes?
Please share with us what the problem was and how it was treated in the comments section.
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