Sudden Blindness in Cats: Vet Explains Causes, Signs & Care

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Sudden Blindness in Cats
Causes
Signs
Potential Dangers
FAQ

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.

The following article will discuss sudden blindness in cats, including its causes, signs, and dangers to help you navigate this condition with calm and confidence. With a little knowledge, patience, and extra TLC, both 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 tends to be more common. While a decrease in visual acuity may gradually take place over weeks to months, blindness may still appear sudden, as felines can often compensate for a gradual decrease in visual ability until a significant amount of vision is lost.

Before discussing potential causes of blindness in cats, a discussion of the normal feline eye may be helpful. Overall, cat eyes function similarly to those of humans.

Cat eyes are made up of the following structures:

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.

Sphynx cat with odd colored eyes, Shpynx cat with heterochromia — Image By: Wildlife World, Shutterstock

What Are the Causes of Sudden Blindness in Cats?

The causes of blindness in cats include a variety of different 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. This condition 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 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 specific to the eyes (such as penetrating wounds or deep scratches of the cornea), can result in sudden blindness in felines through a variety of mechanisms.
Cataracts: Cataracts can lead to vision loss when the normally translucent lens of the eye becomes opaque or cloudy. Feline cataracts may be caused by a variety of conditions including uveitis, genetic factors, or trauma.
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. Glaucoma may 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 be noted suddenly in felines with late-stage disease.
Retinal Degeneration: Retinal degeneration may also be seen in cats as a result of dietary deficiency or secondary to medication. Taurine is an essential amino acid required by cats for the normal functioning of various body systems; cats being fed 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

The above-noted signs, while not always indicative of blindness, 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 become suddenly 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 help keep blind felines safe as they are adapting 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 with a desire to be outdoors.

Both Cat eyes have Retinal Detachment — Image Credit: Anna Krivitskaya, Shutterstock

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Sudden Blindness in Cats Reversible?

Whether a blind cat can regain its vision is largely dependent on the specific cause of vision loss. Early diagnosis and initiation of treatment for eye abnormalities often results in the best outcomes, however, in many cases, blindness may be irreversible.

How is Blindness Diagnosed?

Your veterinarian may use a variety of visual tests to confirm blindness in your cat. These include observing for a menace response, evaluating its ability to track objects through its field of vision, and simply observing its 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.

vet checking up the cat — Image Credit: YULIYA Shustik, Shutterstock

How Do I Care for a Blind Cat?

Maintaining a consistent environment for your blind cat will help make it easier for them to navigate the house. This includes keeping furniture and household fixtures in a similar set-up, as well as keeping their litterbox, food bowls, and beds in consistent locations.

Providing enrichment for your blind companion will help them to continue to live a happy, fulfilled life. Opportunities for play enjoyed by blind felines may 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

A wide variety of 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, fulfilled life!

See also: Iris Atrophy in Cats: Vet-Approved Causes, Signs & Care

Sources

Featured Image Credit: santypan, Shutterstock