Eye diseases in cats are always a cause for concern for guardians. After all, eye problems directly affect the vision of animals and, in some cases, can even lead to blindness. This is the case with cataracts in cats, a disease that affects the animal's lens and makes it impossible for it to see properly. According to Gabriel Mora, who is a veterinarian and clinical coordinator of the Cataract Center in São Paulo, Brazil, the cataract is a disease that affects the animal's lens and makes it impossible for it to see properly.Vet Popular hospital, cataracts in cats occur at a lower frequency compared to dogs, but it is still a pathology that deserves attention. Learn more about this cat eye disease!

Cataract in cats: what is it and what causes the disease?

As with dogs, cataracts in cats is a disease that results from the loss of transparency of the lens behind the iris, Gabriel explains. This affects the quality of the animal's vision and can cause irreversible damage, such as blindness, if not treated in time.

Although it is less frequent in cats, cataracts can affect cats and are usually related to aging or systemic diseases. "Feline cataracts can occur due to some factors, such as senescence (natural aging of the body), intraocular inflammation (such as glaucoma) or diabetes", warns the veterinarian.

Learn to identify eye disease in cats

If you suspect that your kitten has cataracts in his eyes, know that it is not very difficult to recognize the symptoms of the disease. As the main characteristic of the disease is the opacity of the lens, it is possible to notice a spot in the animal's eye, which may or may not evolve over time. "The guardian can visualize the opacity of the animal's eye and notice a gradual whitening of the lens,which can start with a bluer coloration, evolving to the white "wall" in a more mature stage", clarifies Gabriel. The ophthalmological examination is essential for the correct diagnosis of the disease and the beginning of the treatment, so be sure to consult a specialized veterinarian to understand what is happening.

Treatment of cataract in cats

As the causes for cataracts in cats are varied, the treatment can also vary. According to the vet, there are some eye drops (both human and veterinary) that improve the opacity of senile cataracts and can be indicated as a treatment, but this is not always an effective measure. Especially because when the cause for cataracts is diabetes, for example, the treatment needs to be an effective one.linked: "By treating the condition appropriately, cataract remission (return to a translucent eye) may occur, but this will depend on the intensity of the disease and the effectiveness/response of the treatment."

Even so, the use of eye drops, blood glucose control (if it is a case of diabetes) or intraocular pressure control (if it is glaucoma) may not work. In this case, Gabriel explains that a veterinarian specializing in ophthalmology should be consulted to assess the possibility of surgery. If this is considered the best alternative, the postoperative period should be well designed andclosely monitored by the professional, according to the vet. This helps prevent a possible return of the disease.

Learn how to prevent eye problems in cats

The best way to prevent cataracts in cats or any other eye problems is through regular follow-up with the clinical veterinarian. "The physical examination is valuable in general information, including ophthalmic examination. Any abnormality in this system, the clinician will indicate specific examinations and ophthalmic follow-up to avoid eye complications", highlights the clinical veterinarian.In addition, the help of a veterinarian specialized in endocrinology is also very useful for the control of diabetes, a disease that can trigger cataracts. So be sure to take your pet to the vet periodically!