![]() ![]() In some cases the underlying cause of the blindness will be reversible and normal vision may return, but in many cases (even if the primary problem can be controlled) damage like retinal detachment is non reversible and blindness is permanent. Commonly available radiographs are of little value but veterinarians increasingly rely on CT and MRI evaluations. Routine blood tests should always be run to check for concurrent or underlying diseases such as kidney disease.īrain scans are needed if a primary brain disorder, such as a tumor, is suspected. Though blood pressure is easily measured in humans, measuring the pressure in the small blood vessels of a stressed cat can be very difficult. Disease is frequently detectable simply by examining the eyes with a light and a series of lenses (an ophthalmoscope).ĭetermining blood pressure is very important since hypertension is common in cats and is a common cause of retinal disease and blindness. This requires some very simple tests and examinations. Diseases of the lens such as cataracts and dislocated lenses are relatively uncommon and though they result in impaired vision they don’t necessarily mean the cat is blind.ĭiagnosis begins by confirming your cat is actually blind.Conditions such as trauma, infections, inflammation and tumors are the primary underlying causes. Diseases of the brain can result in secondary blindness due to an inability to process stimuli received from the eye. ![]() Though this is generally a slow and progressive disorder, the final stages of loss of vision can seem sudden. Retinal degeneration can also cause blindness and results in a loss of the light sensory cells in the retina.This can further lead to separation or detachment of the retina resulting in blindness. The elevated blood pressure causes damage to the blood vessels in the retina resulting in bleeding or fluid seepage. High blood pressure (hypertension) is frequently associated with a loss of vision and is one of the more common causes of retinal detachment, according to the Veterinary Vision, INC.The term “optic neuritis” compromises all diseases of the optic nerve that cause deterioration and usually produce a sudden visual field problem or total loss of vision in one or both eyes. Optic neuritis or inflammation of the optic nerve is relatively uncommon in cats but does occur and is associated with viral infections (feline infectious peritonitis), protozoal infections (toxoplasmosis), and fungal infections (cryptococcosis).Many are unavoidable and many are progressive but your awareness and understanding of the disorder is important, if a treatment or management plan is needed. adds that in many cases the pupils will be widely dilated and non responsive.Ĭauses of blindness range from injury and tumors to infections and loss of function of a part of the eye such as the retina or lens. Bumping into or falling from familiar objects.The ASPCA lists signs of sudden blindness to include: If blindness develops very rapidly, however, then there is no chance for the cat to adapt. Much like with blind people, animals adapt well to their physical environment and once they are familiar with a room, they seem to navigate very well unless some item is moved. In fact, I have seen a few dogs and cats that were functionally blind but it had gone completely undetected. I have seen a few cats that, when presented for annual physical examination, shocked their guardians by being blind in one eye. Since pets lead generally sheltered lives and don’t rely on reading the fine print of life, gradual loss of vision may be so unapparent to owners that only once it progresses to total blindness do they become aware. Although sudden onset blindness occurs in cats, it’s likely that most cases are simply sudden awareness by the owners of a progressive loss of vision. ![]()
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