My Cat Has Poor Eyesight: How Can I Help It?

Think your cat has bad eyesight? In this article, we explain what causes this and how you can recognize it.

The Healthy Cat Eye

The eyeball rests in the bony eye socket. It includes the vitreous body. This is surrounded by several layers. From the inside out, these are the retina, which absorbs visual stimuli, the choroid (uvea), and the dermis (sclera). The optic nerve transmits the stimuli to the visual center in the brain, where they are processed. Parts of the individual layers are the iris, the pupil, and the lens, which serve to refract light.

The eyelids protect the eye from the outside, and the tear glands moisten it. It can be moved in a targeted manner using special muscles. The nictitating membrane (third eyelid) is part of the conjunctiva, which lies on the inside of the lids as a mucous membrane and connects to the dermis. The nictitating membrane is located in the corner of the eye towards the nose. Incidentally, we humans do not have a nictitating membrane.

The cat sees badly when one or more parts of the eye are diseased and can no longer fulfill their function.

Eye Diseases In Cats

Does your cat look bad? There are many different eye diseases in cats that can be responsible. These can be hereditary or acquired over the course of life. Infections, injuries, and metabolic diseases can all cause eye diseases in cats. One or more structures of the eye are affected.

The cat sees badly because the visual center in the brain has been damaged? This is called “central blindness” because the eyes are not involved.

Your cat sees badly at e.g. B. the following diseases:

• Lens opacity: by e.g. B. Diabetes (diabetes), injury, age, and much more. Lens opacity can also be congenital.
• High blood pressure: Can u. cause bleeding in the eye, but also a retinal detachment.
• Retinal detachment: Due to infection with FeLV / FIV, FIP coronavirus, but also due to e.g. B. high blood pressure or taurine deficiency (feeding errors).
• Chronic inflammation (keratitis)
• Glaucoma: glaucoma, increased pressure inside the eye.
• eye injuries
• tumors
• Inflammation of the optic nerve: caused by e.g. B. an infection with the FIP coronavirus or parasites, but also by vitamin A deficiency.
• meningitis

This list is not exhaustive; there are other reasons why the cat sees badly or goes blind. And of course, there are eye problems that are not, or not necessarily, associated with blindness.

Cat Sees Badly: Symptoms

You ask yourself: “Does my cat have bad eyesight?”. Symptoms such as the following can indicate an impaired vision or even blindness in the cat:

• She runs into furniture or objects.
• She trips over bumps or carpets.
• She misses with jumps z. B. the window sill.
• She no longer plays hunting games or misses her target more often.
• It no longer reacts to visual signals from you, or only if you are nearby.
• She is – especially in unfamiliar situations – quickly anxious and withdraws.
• You see changes in one or both eyes (swelling, cloudiness, redness, tearing, etc.)
  and much more

f you observe these symptoms in your cat or are otherwise wondering, “Does my cat have bad eyesight?” please consult a veterinarian. Does your cat suddenly look bad? Then please go to the vet immediately! Eye problems are always urgent and should not be taken lightly.

Examination Of Vision Problems At The Veterinarian

If your cat’s eyesight is poor, the veterinarian will examine your pet in general and, of course, especially the eyes. Both are necessary because eye problems are often linked to other symptoms, for example in the case of a metabolic disease such as diabetes (diabetes) or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid, which causes high blood pressure).

The pupil, lens, retina, etc. are inspected with a special lamp. Staining with a harmless dye makes corneal damage visible. The amount of tears produced is also measured and the patency of the tear-nasal canals, through which the tear fluid normally drains, is checked. If necessary, the intraocular pressure is measured to rule out glaucoma.

There are also various tests that can be used to check the cat’s vision. For example, objects are moved and checked whether the cat follows them with its eyes. Moving toward a table edge or a falling cotton ball are standard eye tests for cats.

Does the cat see badly and there is a suspicion of metabolic disease? Then a blood test is helpful. Blood pressure should also be measured. It is important that they are carried out correctly and the results interpreted, since e.g. B. the excitement of a visit to the vet influences the measured values.

Treatment Of Eye Diseases In Cats

If the cat has poor vision, the cause of the poor vision or blindness should be corrected if possible. This should be done as soon as possible, especially if the cat’s eye disease is progressing and increasingly blinding.

The metabolic disease can ensure that your house tiger now receives medication permanently. Local eye problems can be partially solved with anti-inflammatory and/or antibiotic ointments. Whether a tumor needs to be removed or another intervention is necessary – the vet will of course discuss all of this with you after the diagnosis!

Blindness In Old Age: Is It Normal?

Does your old cat look bad? This can actually be a normal sign of aging. Nevertheless, please take them to a veterinarian to rule out any serious causes of the problem. Does your cat suddenly look bad? Please go to the vet immediately!

My Cat Has Bad Eyesight: How Can I Help Her?

If your cat has already received treatment or is still undergoing therapy, you can still support her at home. The same applies to cats that have permanent poor eyesight or are blind.

For us humans, the diagnosis of “blindness” is often very emotionally stressful. However, after a period of adjustment, the animals often cope quite well with their handicap. A “map” of their usual environment forms in their head, which they can then navigate relatively safely. Her other senses also step in: if your cat has poor eyesight, she will be very sensitive to sounds and will use her whiskers to orient herself.

The following tips will help if your cat has a poor vision:

• Try to empathize with your cat. This helps to anticipate potentially problematic situations.
• Do not rearrange furniture or leave items lying around on the floor.
• Food and water bowls and sleeping places should remain in place.
• Secure stairs until you are sure your cat can safely climb them again.
• Don’t change anything in the garden, if possible. Ponds, rain barrels, or similar should be secured or removed. The garden should be well fenced. In this way, blind cats can continue to enjoy freedom, but it is best to accompany them. Alternatively, you can provide a smaller area with an aviary where your furry friend can stay. Some cats also get used to a harness and a leash, so they can continue to feel the sun on their fur and the wind in their ears.
• A jingle bell or other toy that makes noise is suitable for playing.
• Talk to the cat before petting it. In general, pay attention to acoustic contact, for example when you enter or leave the room.
• Many blind cats are very sensitive to noise, so avoid noise.
• Offer your cat easily accessible and safe retreats. That’s always true anyway, but especially so for blind cats.
• Visually impaired cats also like to climb. However, you should pay attention to more safety and easy to feel ladders, etc. if you set up a scratching post for them.
• In multi-cat households: Pay attention to how the other cats deal with the restriction and whether the blind cat gets enough rest.

Cat Sees Badly: Conclusion

If you’re feeling “My cat’s eyesight is bad!” please introduce them to a veterinarian! Eye problems should always be considered urgent. If your eyesight begins to deteriorate due to illness or sheer age, there are many tips that you can implement in everyday life in addition to medicine. So your darling can lead a good life even with poor eyesight.