Retinal problems in cats

Retinal problems in cats can lead to blindness. Cats usually adapt to vision loss quickly and have good long-term quality of life. Retinal disorders are usually non-painful. In older cats, the most likely cause of retinal detachment is high blood pressure.

Retinal disorders in cats can happen due to several causes. The type of retinal disorder will affect the choice of treatment. Not all retinal problems are curable. Rapid treatment is crucial to prevent the retina from dying and to try to restore your cat’s vision.

Overview

What are retinal problems in cats?

The retina is the layer of cells lining the back wall of the inside eye. This layer senses light and sends signals to the brain so your cat can see.

The most common problems related to the retina are listed below:

- Retinal detachments
- Inflammation of the retina and choroid
- Inherited diseases of the retina
  - Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
  - Retinal dysplasia

Symptoms

What are the clinical signs of retinal problems in cats?

Sudden blindness, or some level of vision loss
Bumping into furniture or other large objects
Difficulty navigating in low-lighting
Enlarged pupils, even in bright light
Bleeding into the eye, or a whitish or pink appearance inside the eye
Cloudy eyes
Squinting or difficulty opening the eyes
Eyes are very reflective when light shines on them

Risk

Causes and risk factors of retinal problems in cats

Retinal detachment: often caused by high blood pressure that can be a result of kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, or it can have no apparent cause (idiopathic). Other causes of retinal detachment include traumatic tearing of the retina, uveitis, glaucoma, certain infectious diseases, and cancer. But there is no strong breed predisposition known.
Inflammation of the retina and choroid can be related to viruses (feline infectious peritonitis, feline leukaemia virus, and feline immunodeficiency virus), toxoplasmosis, fungal diseases, parasites, bacterial infections, and tuberculosis.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): an inherited eye disease that leads to various problems with the retina (back of the eye), is a rare condition and appears to be seen in Abyssinians, Somalis and Siamese, among others.
Retinal dysplasia: present at birth and is typically diagnosed in kittens around 2-3 months of age. May arise from trauma or damage occurring while in the womb.

Diagnosis

How are retinal disorders diagnosed in cats?

Your vet will:

Examine your cat’s eyes, including using a light source.
Use a tonometer to measure the pressure inside the eyes.
Check their blood pressure.
Perform blood tests
Ocular ultrasound, normally done by an Ophthalmology specialist

Vet treatment

Can retinal disorders be treated?

Treatment will depend on the underlying condition. Not all conditions have successful treatments available, such as Retinal dysplasia and PRA.

Retinal detachment and inflammatory disorders of the retina may be treatable depending on the cause and severity. The treatment may include medication and, in some cases, surgery.

Home treatment

What to do at home if your cat becomes blind

Cats that lose their vision gradually can adapt well with the correct care. Sudden blindness can happen and may result in distress.

There are many things you can do to help your cat if they have reduced vision or has gone blind:

Avoid moving furniture or any of your cat’s belongings, such as their food dish, water bowl or bed.
It’s important to pay special attention to hazards such as stairs, pools, and the street.
Whenever your cat meets a new human or animal, they should be handled with extra care.
Avoid any sudden and loud noises that may scare them. Talk to your cat before stroking them.
Place textured mats at the room entrances. Your cat will be able to differentiate the room they are in by the texture on their paws.
If you have other pets in the house, it’s useful to use a small bell or an object that makes a sound to help your blind cat identify their presence.
Play is very important. Use toys that make a noise. This will help build their confidence and provide mental stimulation.

Prevention

What can you do to prevent retinal disorders in cats?

Most of the conditions above cannot be prevented. In others, early diagnosis is crucial to prevent complete blindness.

Make sure your cat is up to date with their vaccination and goes for regular check-ups (at least once a year) with a vet to catch any illness early.
Regular blood tests and blood pressure measurements are also useful, especially in senior cats.

When to worry