Section: Information In-depth
Therapy for a blind pet always depends first on establishing the correct diagnosis. There are numerous possible causes for blindness, and it is essential to identify the specific cause to initiate appropriate treatment.
Causes
Blindness can be caused by many different conditions, including:
Bilateral uveitis due to a systemic bacterial, viral, protozoal or fungal infection, or from a tumor
Hyphema (blood in the anterior chamber) secondary to ocular trauma, a blood clotting disorder, or systemic hypertension (high blood pressure)
Cataract (dense opacity in the lens) formation
Lens luxation (displacement), particularly if complicated by cataract development
Glaucoma, which is sustained elevated pressures within the eye due to inadequate fluid drainage from the eye, resulting in damage to the optic nerve. Glaucoma in the cat is most often secondary to chronic uveitis.
Chorioretinitis (inflammation of the choroid and retina) secondary to a bacterial, viral, protozoal, fungal or parasitic infection, or to a tumor
Retinal detachment secondary to systemic hypertension, a posterior segment tumor, or chorioretinitis
Nutritional retinal degeneration caused by taurine deficiency in the diet
Progressive retinal degeneration, a rare inherited condition of Abyssinian and certain domestic short-haired cats
Congenital underdevelopment of the optic nerves (very rare)
Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the brain and the meninges that cover it) due to a viral, protozoal, fungal or bacterial infection
Neoplasia (tumor) involving the optic chiasm (location in the brain where both optic nerves meet and cross) or the visual pathways within the brain
Neoplasia involving the occipital cortex (visual center of the brain)
Hypoxia (inadequate oxygen supply to the brain) resulting in permanent brain injury
Head trauma with edema and hemorrhage
Traumatic avulsion (tearing away)of the optic nerves from the optic chiasm or from behind the eye
Hepatic encephalopathy (severe liver disease causing abnormal neurologic signs including disorientation and stupor) imitating vision loss.
Related Articles
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1
Anterior Uveitis in Cats
Anterior uveitis is inflammation that affects the front part of the eye. The iris, which is the colored portion of the eye, is typically involved, and common causes include immmune diseases, infections...
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2
Glaucoma in Cats
Inside the normal eye there is constant production and drainage of a watery fluid. When a problem with the drainage of the fluid occurs, the pressure inside of the eye can increase. High pressure causes...
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3
Ocular (Eye) Trauma in Cats
Ocular trauma is the result of blunt, piercing, pointed or jagged objects inflicted directly to the eye, including cat claw injuries, thorns, branches, writing instruments, or small airborne objects. Ocular...
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