What Do Cats' Eyes Look Like if They Are Becoming Blind?

Since cats are extremely adaptable, a loss of vision does not usually lessen their quality of life. In fact, it is cats' adaptability that sometimes makes it difficult to diagnose feline eye problems. If you suspect that your cat no longer sees his surroundings clearly, a close inspection of the eyes is necessary since some of the common causes of cat blindness have a distinct look.

  1. Glaucoma

    • Glaucoma is a common cause of blindness in cats. Caused by a buildup of pressure in the cat̵7;s eyes, medicine can control this condition with medicine. However, to avoid permanent vision loss, the problem needs a diagnosis as soon as possible. If the buildup of pressure continues, it can permanently damage the optic nerve and destroy the animal̵7;s sight. Symptoms to watch for include a red cloudy eye with a dilated pupil.

    Cataracts

    • As your cat ages, the lenses of his eyes will lose some of their clarity and will appear to have a milky white film over them. While cats that are over 7 years of age are more likely to develop cataracts, they can also appear in younger animals due to injury, poor nutrition as a kitten, inflammations of the eye and even heredity. As the cataract progresses, it may take on a marbled look or the appearance of cracked ice. Some cataracts are removable through surgery.

    Conjunctivitis

    • Conjunctivitis ̵1; better known as ̶0;pink eye̶1; because of the color of the inflamed membranes surrounding the eye ̵1; can lead to blindness if not treated. While conjunctivitis can have several causes, bacteria are most often its cause. If your cat has red, watery eyes with matter in the corners, suspect conjunctivitis, especially if the cat is reluctant to open them. Conjunctivitis caused by bacteria can easily spread from animal to animal.

    Hypertension

    • Hypertension or high blood pressure is often a result of other feline diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease or any other condition that can cause high blood pressure. Feline hypertension can cause sudden blindness; eyes that remain dilated regardless of the light conditions are often a symptom of hypertension that affects the eyes. A cat affected with this disease may also have blood visible in the eye.