Cat blindness

Reviewed by Dr Siân Burwood MA VetMB MRCVS

Cats are famous for their keen eyesight, which helps them navigate dim light and hunt with precision. But what happens when that superpower fades or is lost?

Blindness in cats is a relatively common issue, particularly as they grow older.

We explain the causes of feline blindness, how to recognise it, what treatment options exist, and how to care for cats who have lost their sight.

• What causes blindness in cats?
  > What conditions can lead to sudden loss of vision in cats?
• How to recognise if your cat is blind
  > Signs your cat may have lost vision in one eye
  > Simple at-home checks to assess your cat’s eyesight
• How vets diagnose blindness in cats
• Treatment options for feline blindness
  > Can a cat’s vision be restored?
• Caring for a cat with vision loss
  > How to communicate effectively with a blind cat
  > Enrichment and toy suggestions for blind cats

What causes blindness in cats?

Many broad factors and types of disease can cause blindness in cats, including:

• Inherited genetic conditions – Certain breeds are more prone to eye disorders such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) or glaucoma, which can result in gradual vision loss. Some of these conditions can be screened for, so breeders know not to breed from affected cats
• Age – Like humans, cats’ eyesight can deteriorate over time
• Trauma – Injuries to the eyes may cause scarring, cataracts, or retinal detachment
• Infections – Chronic infections, such as feline herpesvirus, can trigger inflammation and permanent eye damage
• Systemic illnesses – Diseases like diabetes or high blood pressure can affect the eyes
• Toxins – Exposure to harmful chemicals may impair vision

What conditions can lead to sudden loss of vision in cats?

Some conditions can cause blindness to come on very suddenly, which is distressing for both cat and caregiver. Possible causes include:

• Severe hypertension – Spikes in blood pressure can cause retinal detachment, often linked to kidney disease or hyperthyroidism
• Acute glaucoma – This disease causes a rapid increase in pressure inside the eyeball. This can cause rapid vision loss and permanent damage without prompt treatment
• Sudden acquired retinal degeneration (SARD) – This rare condition can lead to blindness over days or weeks, though the exact cause is unknown

How to recognise if your cat is blind

Early detection is crucial. Many causes of blindness, such as infections, high blood pressure, glaucoma or retinal problems, can be treated or managed more effectively if caught quickly.

Even if sight cannot be restored, treating early helps keep the eye comfortable. And it reduces risk of further damage that may lead to a painful or infected eye that needs removal.

Spotting vision issues early also helps prevent accidents at home. As predators, cats rely heavily on sight to judge distances and navigate their environment. Early awareness allows you to adapt your home safely before your cat can injure themselves.

Early detection also gives you and your vet time to establish routines, and plan enrichment that helps your cat adjust to sight loss. This will give you both the confidence to navigate this new way of living.

Watch for signs such as:

• Behaviour changes – Becoming withdrawn or overly clingy due to feeling vulnerable, or staying still in one spot for a long time. Cats may also appear confused, and show nervous or even aggressive behaviour
• Loss of spatial awareness – Bumping into furniture or walls, moving clumsily, misjudged jumps and falling off things
• Reluctance in dim light – Hesitation to explore areas that were previously easy to navigate in the evening or overnight
• Eye changes – Cloudiness, inflammation or tear overflow

If you notice any of these, take your cat to the vet straight away.

Signs your cat may have lost vision in one eye

Sometimes vision loss affects only one eye, known as unilateral blindness. This can be difficult to assess at home, but you may see a difference in pupil size, cloudiness or redness in just one eye, or maybe your cat just closing one eye.

It’s still vital to take your cat to the vet as soon as you can if you see these signs.

Simple at-home checks to assess your cat’s eyesight

While only a vet can confirm blindness, you can try simple checks, such as trying to see if they will follow a favourite toy or a laser pointer.

Shining a gentle, focused light at your cat’s eyes can also test their dazzle reflex. A sighted cat will blink or look away; a cat with poor vision may stare straight ahead.

In truth, it’s very hard to assess vision in cats, as they use their other senses much more than humans – for example hearing and touch from whiskers. If you ever have concerns about your cat’s sight, make sure you get to a vet as soon as you can. Accurate diagnosis of the cause of the blindness is essential not just to keeping the eye healthy, but also to make sure there’s no underlying systemic disease of which blindness is just one symptom.

How vets diagnose blindness in cats

Vets use several methods to identify the cause and extent of blindness.

First opinion vets will be able to:

• Examine the eyes for cloudiness or inflammation
• Test tear production
• Check for corneal ulcers
• Inspect the retina and optic nerve
• Evaluate the eye’s electrical response to light
• Measure blood pressure
• Check blood tests for other systemic diseases like diabetes

Some practices will also be able to:

• Measure eye pressure to detect glaucoma
• Use a ‘slit lamp’ to take more detailed images of the interior of the eye

You may be referred to a specialist ophthalmologist who can do all of this in more detail, as well as carry out scans to investigate the areas of the brain linked to vision.

Cat insurance can help cover the costs of these diagnostic tests.

Treatment options for feline blindness

Once the cause is identified, vets can recommend treatment or management strategies specific to the cause. This can include:

• Medication to reduce inflammation or treat infections
• Medication to control blood pressure or treatment for diabetes
• Surgery for issues like retinal detachment or cataracts
• Adjustments at home to make the environment safer and more comfortable

It’s worth considering that the aim of treatment may be to keep the eye comfortable, even if it’s not visual. If an eye is not visual, painful or at risk of rupture, your vet may need to recommend removal of the eye. This is very well tolerated in cats, and may be the fastest route to a happy cat.

Can a cat’s vision be restored?

Whether it’s reversible depends on the cause. Vision lost to infections or inflammation may be restored with prompt treatment, whereas inherited conditions like PRA cause irreversible deterioration. In cases of permanent blindness, management focuses on adapting your cat’s environment and routines – plus making sure that the eye remains physically healthy even if they cannot see.

Caring for a cat with vision loss

Blind cats can live happy, fulfilling lives with patient care and support. Focus on emotional reassurance, consistent routines and guidance from your vet.

How to communicate effectively with a blind cat

Effective communication relies on sound and touch:

• Make familiar noises as you approach, such as gently shuffling your feet
• Approach from the front so your cat can sense you before contact
• Speak calmly and reassuringly
• Avoid sudden movements or loud noises that could startle them
• Keep items like litter trays, food, water bowls, and favourite spots in the same location

Enrichment and toy suggestions for blind cats

Playtime is just as important for blind cats. Toys that stimulate other senses can help maintain confidence and provide enrichment:

• Sound – Toys with bells or crinkly materials
• Texture – Feathers, fur, or different fabrics
• Scent – Catnip or safe aromatic toys

A vet’s take on blindness in cats 👩‍⚕️

“There are two main things that I’d like caregivers to know about blindness in cats. The first is that while it can be age related, we should never presume this, and any signs of changes in the eye or vision should be checked out as soon as possible. This gives us the greatest chance of being able to help, and can help catch serious conditions like diabetes, kidney disease and hypertension earlier while they’re still manageable.

“The second is that because cats don’t need to read or drive, living with blindness is not the devastating diagnosis it would be for us. Their other senses are already so much better than ours, and with considered adaptations at home they can live happy normal lives.”

Dr Siân Burwood MA VetMB MRCVS

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