Cataracts are changes in the crystalline lens within the eye. Normal crystals are clear and crystal-like, and their main function is to help focus light and images. When a cataract forms, the crystal becomes cloudy or bluish or white. Typically, cataracts are divided into two categories: mature or immature. An immature cataract means that only part of the lens is affected, so vision is almost always unaffected. If a cataract progresses to the mature stage of cataract, the entire crystal is affected and vision is lost. Many animals may still respond to light or moving objects, but for a fully cataracted animal visual function will be very poor. The cause is some congenital cause, some disease or physiological condition that causes the otherwise clear crystalloid to become cloudy, resulting in the inability to project light onto the retina at the base of the eye, resulting in visual impairment or loss of vision. Cataracts caused by acquired diseases or degeneration of physiological conditions, such as diabetic cats, elderly cats over 7 years old, etc. Symptoms Pupil scattering, lens opacity, clouding in both eyes to varying degrees more than monocular clouding, vision loss or loss of vision. Diagnosis Clinical symptoms combined with laboratory tests as well as ultrasonography confirm the diagnosis. Treatment Surgery: Ultrasound emulsion surgery. There are no medications that can remove the cataract or restore the cataract to normal. To restore vision, mature cataracts must be surgically removed. Prior to surgery, any rapidly developing cataract can cause irritation in the eye. It usually results in the development of uveitis (inflammation of the inside of the eye) due to abnormalities in the lens. Whether cataract surgery is done or not, uveitis needs to be treated promptly or it can cause other problems in the eye to develop. Note that it is best to take your cat for regular checkups so that you can treat cataracts in the early stages of their development, and so that they can prevent them from continuing to deteriorate.
