# Cataracts in Cats: Symptoms and What Causes Them Cataracts in cats symptoms usually start as a cloudy or hazy spot in one or both eyes, and you may notice your cat missing jumps or acting unsure in dim light. Most cataracts in cats are not a simple aging change. They often develop because of inflammation inside the eye or an inherited tendency, so the cause matters as much as the cloudiness itself. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - A cataract is a cloudy lens, not a cloudy cornea, and it sits behind the pupil [1]. - Most cataracts in cats form because of anterior uveitis (inflammation inside the eye), not on their own [1]. - Inherited cataracts are seen most often in young cats [1]. - Cataracts can affect one eye or both, and a small one may barely change vision [2]. - Surgery to remove the lens is the main treatment, and cats who do not have surgery still need regular veterinary monitoring [1]. ## What a Cataract Actually Is The lens is a small, clear structure that sits behind the iris. It changes shape to focus light onto the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye [1][2]. When the lens stays clear, light passes through and your cat sees normally. A cataract is a spot on the lens that turns cloudy or opaque. That cloudiness blocks light from reaching the retina, so vision drops. The loss can range from mild blurring to partial blindness, and if the whole lens goes opaque, that eye can lose vision completely [1][2]. Cataracts can be unilateral (one eye) or bilateral (both eyes) [2]. A tiny cataract in a corner of the lens may cause no noticeable vision problem at all, while a dense one covering the center of the lens can change how your cat moves through the house [2]. One important distinction: a cataract is inside the eye, in the lens. Many things that look like a "cloudy eye" in cats are actually on the surface, such as corneal edema, scars, or discharge. Those are different problems with different causes. If you are not sure what you are seeing, our guide to [Cat Eyes: Understanding Feline Vision, Common Eye Problems & Care Tips](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/cat-eyes-anatomy-health) walks through normal and abnormal eye appearance. ## Cataracts in Cats Symptoms: What Owners Notice First Cataracts in cats symptoms can be easy to miss early on, because cats adapt well to slow vision changes. They memorize furniture, use whiskers and hearing, and often keep jumping onto the same spots. Many owners do not realize something is wrong until the cataract is fairly advanced. ### Early signs of cat cataracts - A gray, white, or milky haze in the pupil area that does not go away - A cloudy eye that looks different in certain lighting, especially when light hits the eye at an angle - Slight hesitation before jumping down from a height - Missing a toy or a treat that is tossed nearby - Being more cautious in dim light or at night ### Later cat vision loss signs - Bumping into furniture, door frames, or walls - Walking with a low, careful posture or hugging the walls - Startling easily when approached from the side - Not finding the food bowl or litter box as quickly - Reluctance to go up or down stairs - Changes in pupil appearance, such as a pupil that stays wide or looks cloudy Some cats with cataracts also develop other eye problems at the same time, especially if inflammation is the underlying cause. Watch for squinting, redness, tearing, or a pupil that looks different from the other eye. Our article on [Cat Eye Discharge: Causes and When to See a Vet](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/online-vet-and-care-costs/cat-eye-discharge-causes-when-to-see-vet) covers surface eye changes, which are separate from cataracts but can appear alongside them. If your cat also seems uncomfortable, is eating less, or is losing weight, eye changes may be one part of a larger problem. Guides on [Pancreatitis In Cats Symptoms](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/pancreatitis-in-cats-symptoms) and [Symptoms Of Kidney Disease In My Cat](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/symptoms-of-kidney-disease-in-my-cat) can help you track other body-wide signs to bring up with your veterinarian. ## What Causes Cat Cataracts? This is where cats differ from dogs. In dogs, many cataracts are inherited and develop on their own. In cats, most cataracts do not occur by themselves. They usually form as a result of inflammation of the anterior uvea, called anterior uveitis [1]. ### Anterior uveitis Anterior uveitis is inflammation of the front part of the eye. It can be triggered by infections, trauma, immune reactions, or cancer, and in many cats the exact trigger is never found. The inflammation damages the lens and leads to clouding [1]. This is the single most common pathway to cataracts in cats, which is why a veterinarian will always look for uveitis when a cataract is found. ### Genetics and inherited cataracts Cataracts can also be inherited, and these are seen most often in young cats [1]. Research into cataract genetics has linked over 85 genes and loci to inherited and age-related cataract forms across species, involving lens proteins, cell-signaling pathways, and other mechanisms [3]. If a young cat develops a cataract with no history of eye inflammation or injury, an inherited cause moves up the list. ### Diabetes mellitus Diabetes is a known factor in cataract formation across species, including cats [4]. A recent case report described a diabetic domestic longhair cat with an incipient cataract in one eye and an advanced, swollen (intumescent) cataract with a lens capsule rupture in the other [5]. That cat had no active uveitis at the eye exam, which suggests diabetes itself can drive lens changes in cats. If your cat has diabetes, regular eye checks are part of good diabetes care. ### Trauma and other causes Trauma to the eye or head can cloud the lens. A case report in a bird described lens opacification and blindness after head trauma, and the lens was successfully removed surgically [6]. The same principle applies in cats: a blow to the head or eye can damage the lens and start a cataract. Other factors that have been examined across companion animal species include daylight exposure, diet, dehydration, certain drugs, and genetics [4]. For cats specifically, uveitis, inheritance, diabetes, and trauma are the causes veterinarians weigh most heavily. ### A note on aging Age-related cataract is common in people and dogs, and it is a complex, multifactorial process instead of one single gene or one single cause [3]. In cats, age may contribute, but it is less often the whole story. When an older cat develops a cloudy lens, your veterinarian will still check for uveitis, diabetes, and other disease first. | Cause | Who is most affected | Key clue | |---|---|---| | Anterior uveitis | Cats of any age | Squinting, redness, tearing, a pupil that looks off | | Inherited cataract | Often young cats | No inflammation or injury, sometimes both eyes | | Diabetes mellitus | Diabetic cats | Known diabetes, often both eyes over time | | Trauma | Any cat with a known or suspected injury | History of a blow, fall, or fight | | Age-related changes | Older cats | Gradual clouding, other causes ruled out | ## How Veterinarians Diagnose Cataracts in Cats Diagnosis starts with a full eye exam. Your veterinarian will look at the lens with a focused light and may use a slit lamp or other magnification to see exactly where the cloudiness sits and how dense it is. They will also check for uveitis, because that changes the treatment plan. Signs of anterior uveitis include protein and cells floating in the front of the eye, low eye pressure, and inflammatory deposits on the inner surface of the cornea [7]. In one reported case, a young cat with severe uveitis had a rare structural problem called Descemet's membrane detachment that only showed up on advanced imaging, which shows how much can hide behind a cloudy eye [7]. Your veterinarian may also: - Measure eye pressure to screen for glaucoma - Test tear production - Check the retina and optic nerve if the lens allows a view - Run blood work, including a glucose check if diabetes is a concern - Test for infectious diseases if uveitis is present If the eye cannot be examined well enough, referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist is common. Specialized imaging and electroretinography (a test of retinal function) may be used before surgery is considered [5]. ## Treatment Options for Cataracts in Cats Treatment depends on how much vision is affected, whether uveitis is present, and your cat's overall health. ### Medical management If surgery is not an option, your veterinarian will focus on controlling inflammation and watching for complications. This matters because cataracts can lead to anterior uveitis, glaucoma, and a blind, shrunken eye [1]. Continued monitoring is very important in cats who do not have surgery [1]. Your veterinarian will set any medication and dose based on your cat's weight, eye pressure, and other health conditions. ### Surgery Surgery to remove the affected lens is the main treatment for cataracts [1]. The procedure has advanced over time, but complications are possible [1]. In one diabetic cat, cataracts in both eyes were treated successfully with phacoemulsification, which restored vision, though a lens implant was placed in only one eye [5]. In the bird case described earlier, vision returned by the first day after surgery and was still present two years later [6]. Outcomes vary by case, and your ophthalmologist will discuss the risks for your cat specifically. ### Managing the underlying cause If uveitis is the cause, treating the inflammation is central. If diabetes is the cause, good glucose control matters for the whole cat, not just the eyes. If an infection is involved, that gets treated too. In one cat with suspected feline infectious peritonitis-associated uveitis, antiviral treatment improved the intraocular inflammation, though corneal edema persisted and required further imaging [7]. ## Recovery, Outlook, and Long-Term Management Cats who have cataract surgery typically need a period of restricted activity, eye drops, and recheck exams. Your ophthalmologist will give you a specific schedule. Cats who do not have surgery need regular eye exams to catch uveitis or glaucoma early, since these can develop after a cataract forms [1]. Vision loss in one eye is often well tolerated by cats. Total vision loss is harder, but cats adapt using memory, hearing, and whiskers. Keep furniture in place, talk to your cat before touching them, and use night lights. These changes reduce startle and help your cat move confidently. If your cat has diabetes, keep up with glucose monitoring and eye checks. If your cat has a history of uveitis, keep every recheck appointment even when the eye looks calm. ## Can You Prevent Cataracts in Cats? There is no proven way to prevent cataracts in cats, and no diet or supplement has been shown to stop them. What you can do is reduce the risk of the causes behind them. - Treat eye inflammation early. Any squinting, redness, or tearing deserves a vet visit. - Manage diabetes carefully if your cat has it, since diabetes is linked to cataract formation [4]. - Keep cats indoors or supervise outdoor time to lower trauma risk. - Ask your veterinarian about eye screening if your cat is young and has a cataract, since inherited cataracts appear most often in young cats [1]. - Keep routine exams on schedule, especially for older cats and cats with chronic eye disease. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian This article covers general information only. Your cat's individual case needs a veterinarian who can examine the eye, measure pressure, and check for uveitis and other disease. Contact a veterinarian the same day if you see: - Sudden cloudiness in one or both eyes - Squinting, pawing at the eye, or holding an eye closed - Redness, tearing, or a pupil that looks different from the other eye - A pupil that stays wide in bright light - Your cat bumping into things or refusing to jump Seek emergency care now if: - The eye looks swollen, bulging, or very painful - Your cat is crying out, pacing, or cannot settle - There is sudden complete blindness in a cat who could see before - You suspect a blow to the head or eye Schedule a routine visit if: - You notice a slow, gradual haze in the eye - Your cat seems slightly more cautious in dim light - Your cat has diabetes and has not had an eye exam recently - Your cat has a history of uveitis and is due for a recheck ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Is a cloudy eye in a cat always a cataract? No. A cloudy eye can come from the cornea, the lens, or the fluid inside the eye, and each has different causes. A cataract is specifically cloudiness of the lens behind the iris [1]. Only an eye exam can tell you which structure is involved. ### Can cataracts in cats be reversed with drops or supplements? No. There is no drop or supplement that clears a cataract. Surgery to remove the lens is the main treatment when vision is affected [1]. Medical treatment focuses on controlling inflammation and preventing complications like glaucoma. ### Do all cats with cataracts go blind? No. A small cataract may barely affect vision, while a cataract covering the whole lens can cause blindness in that eye [2]. Many cats keep useful vision in the other eye, and surgery can restore vision in some cases [5]. ### Are cataracts painful for cats? The cataract itself is not painful. The problem is what comes with it. Cataracts can lead to anterior uveitis and glaucoma, and those conditions are painful [1]. That is why monitoring matters even when your cat seems comfortable. ### Can a young cat get cataracts? Yes. Inherited cataracts are seen most often in young cats [1]. If a young cat develops a cloudy lens without any history of injury or inflammation, your veterinarian will consider a genetic cause and may recommend screening. ### Does diabetes cause cataracts in cats? Diabetes is one recognized factor in lens clouding across species, including cats [4]. A published case described a diabetic cat with cataracts in both eyes that were treated surgically [5]. If your cat has diabetes, regular eye exams help catch changes early. ## Related Articles - [Pancreatitis In Cats Symptoms](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/pancreatitis-in-cats-symptoms) - [Symptoms Of Kidney Disease In My Cat](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/symptoms-of-kidney-disease-in-my-cat) - [Cat Eyes: Understanding Feline Vision, Common Eye Problems & Care Tips](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/cat-eyes-anatomy-health) - [Cat Eye Discharge: Causes and When to See a Vet](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/online-vet-and-care-costs/cat-eye-discharge-causes-when-to-see-vet) - [Ear Infections In Cats Symptoms](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/ear-infections-in-cats-symptoms) - [What Are Symptoms Of A Uti In A Cat](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/what-are-symptoms-of-a-uti-in-a-cat) - [Cataracts in Cats: Age of Onset and Early Signs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/senior-and-chronic-care/cataracts-in-cats-age-onset) - [Cataracts in Cats: Treatment and Surgery Options](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/senior-and-chronic-care/cataracts-in-cats-treatment-surgery) - [Cat Vision Loss and Blindness: Signs and Causes](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/cat-vision-loss-blindness-signs) ## References 1. [Disorders of the Lens in Cats - Cat Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners/eye-disorders-of-cats/disorders-of-the-lens-in-cats). Merck Veterinary Manual. 2. [Feline Cataracts](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-cataracts). Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. 3. [Through the Cat-Map Gateway: A Brief History of Cataract Genetics](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38927721/). Genes, 2024. 4. [Comparative cataract-lens opacification across species](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40537571/). Eye (London, England), 2025. 5. [Rare occurrence of an intumescent cataract in a diabetic domestic longhair cat](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42548827/). JFMS open reports, 2026. 6. [Cataract Extraction in a White-Bellied Caique (Pionites leucogaster): A Case Report](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42706636/). Veterinary ophthalmology, 2026. 7. [Anterior Segment OCT Diagnosis of Descemet's Membrane Detachment in a Cat With Suspected FIP-Associated Uveitis](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42806563/). Veterinary ophthalmology, 2026. ## Further Reading - [Merck Veterinary Manual: Cat Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners) - [Cornell Feline Health Center: Health Information](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information) - [American Veterinary Medical Association: Pet Care](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare)