Do you think your cat may be going blind? Do they seem disoriented or have trouble navigating your home in low light? There are many different things that can cause blindness in cats, including natural aging changes in the eye. Some cats develop cataracts which slowly cause vision loss and eventual blindness while others lose their sight suddenly due to trauma or injury.

The good news is, cats are excellent at adjusting to life with lost or limited vision. They rely on their tactile whiskers and excellent hearing to navigate and lead relatively normal, happy lives.

Your Cat’s Unique Eye

Cats have excellent night vision thanks to the high number of light-sensitive rods in their retina and their widely-expanding pupils. On the other hand, they have fewer color-sensing cones than humans, making it difficult to see shades of red and green.

Another unique feature of the feline eye is its sharp ability to sense even the slightest movement. They can detect objects moving at speeds of up to 0.15 inches per second. They also have exceptional peripheral vision. Ever seen a cat snatch a moth out of seemingly thin air? Their highly adapted eye is why!

Like many other predatory animals, cats have a third-eyelid that rolls across the surface of the eye to protect it from trauma. Despite this added security, cat eyes are vulnerable to injuries and illnesses that can impair their vision or render them blind. Unfortunately, it is something veterinarians deal with on a regular basis.

"We see cats that are either blind or going blind several times a week," Thomas Kern, DVM, associate professor of ophthalmology at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine says. "Most of these animals have eye disease as a primary disorder—they have no other health problems. And most of them are middle-aged or elderly cats whose vision loss has been progressing for years."

How To Tell If Your Cat Is Going Blind

Gradual vision loss can be difficult to spot in cats because they tend to adapt so seamlessly. However, if you notice any of these signs in your cat, see your vet for an eye exam and a full physical.

Change in eye appearance to the eyes - cloudy, enlarged pupil, spots on the cornea
Disorientation and bumping into things, especially in low light
Walking slowly/cautiously with their legs wide apart
Walking along a wall for guidance
Reluctance to jump on/off furniture
Hiding or unusual nervousness
Crying at night as if lost
Changes in behavior
Startled reaction to sound or sudden movements
Eye pain or discharge
Squinting one or both eyes
Swollen third eyelid
Bulging or swelling of the eyes

What Causes A Cat To Go Blind?

According to Dr. Kern, the number one cause of blindness in cats is uveitis (inflammation of the uvea). Uveitis causes gradual blindness and is most often associated with viral infections such as FIV, FeLV, or FIP.

The second most common reason cats go blind is the detachment of the retina from its underlying tissue. Cats with high blood pressure, an overly active thyroid gland, or kidney disease are most at risk for a detached retina. If the condition is caught and treated early, partial vision may be restored. Otherwise, retinal detachment causes permanent blindness.

Dr. Kern notes that eye injuries such as corneal lacerations are also a leading cause of blindness in cats. Other causes include:

Cataracts - most common in older cats and cats with diabetes
Head Trauma
Glaucoma - caused by increased pressure inside the eye
Optic nerve disease
Strokes, tumors, or infections of the brain
Tumors in and around the eye
Complications of anesthesia (but this is very rare)

Sudden Blindness In Cats

“Sudden blindness” in cats is actually very rare. In most cases, the vision loss comes on over the span of a few days, weeks, or months. In some cases, it may happen as quickly as a few hours or overnight.

Possible causes of sudden blindness in a cat include a burst blood vessel bleeding into the interior of the eye, a traumatic head injury, a reaction to anesthesia, or a rare reaction to a drug such as enrofloxacin. Hypertension may also lead to sudden blindness, especially in cats with kidney or thyroid disease. The cat’s blood pressure becomes extremely high, leading to retinopathy and vision loss.

As Dr. Kern notes, truly sudden blindness is quite rare. Usually, the change is gradual, but the pet parent does not notice until the vision loss becomes extreme, causing the cat’s behavior to change.

“The ones with so-called sudden blindness that we see tend to be elderly cats with chronic hypertension, which can cause eventual detachment of the retina and bleeding in the back of the eye. The changes may not be acute at first, but they progress over time to the point when the last bit of vision goes and the animal seems to have suddenly gone blind. In retrospect, it will occur to the owner that the cat hasn’t been doing this or that for quite a while.”

Cats that become blind suddenly - over a matter of days or weeks - tend to appear bewildered or frightened, while those that go through the process more gradually tend to adjust to the change more readily, appearing more relaxed and “normal.”

Can Blindness In Cats Be Treated Or Reversed?

As with any illness or injury, the prognosis of your cat’s blindness often depends on how quickly veterinary attention is sought. While some conditions cause irreversible vision loss, others may respond to treatment if caught in their early stages. For example, cats with high blood pressure can be treated with medication to stabilize their condition and prevent or improve retinal detachment.

To help prevent your cat from going blind, check their eyes regularly and note any changes in color, cloudiness, or general appearance. Schedule an appointment with your vet if anything appears out of the ordinary.

Caring For A Blind Cat

If your cat does go blind, there are several things you can do to make sure they stay safe, healthy, and happy.

Keep your blind cat indoors. Some kitties love to experience the great outdoors, but it just isn’t safe for a vision-impaired pet to wander freely. Consider the following options to let your cat enjoy the fresh air and sunshine:

Sit with them on a screened patio or fenced-in yard
Leash-train them and take short walks together
Purchase a pet stroller or backpack for safe outings

Make sure your cat is microchipped. If your blind cat does get outside and become lost, a microchip greatly increases their chances of getting home safely.
Keep indoor cats stimulated and entertained with toys that make noise or puzzle feeders that utilize their sense of smell.
Give them time to adjust. Cats are intelligent and highly adaptable, but losing their vision can be quite a shock. Be patient and support your kitty as they make this transition.
Talk to them. Without their sight, your cat will become dependent on your voice. Announce yourself softly when you return home or enter a room to keep from startling them. And be sure to use your voice to help your kitty find you!
Keep litter trays and food/water dishes in a safe, quiet, easily accessible area of your home to prevent confusion and anxiety.
Avoid carrying your cat around the house. It is important that they create a mental map of the home by navigating it on their own. Also, cats have glands on their paws that leave a scent trail they can follow in the future.
Prevent your cat from accessing raised surfaces in case they fall or become stuck.
Keep furniture, bowls, and litter trays in the same, familiar spots.
Avoid leaving shoes or discarded items in unexpected places.
Consider gating off stairs to prevent falls.

Conclusion

While going blind is a major, life-altering event for humans and even dogs, cats are uniquely qualified to adapt to the partial or complete loss of their vision. With their long, tactile facial whiskers and scent-marking glands, they tend to navigate quite well.

In fact, I had a cat that suffered ruptures in both eyes due to a severe infection during his life as a stray. Both eyes were surgically removed, meaning he was completely blind. When I adopted him, he immediately located his litter box, food and water bowls, and even managed to hop up on my bed! With proper care and safety precautions, blind cats can live very full, normal lives.