Retinal Detachment in Cats

Retinal detachment in cats is a condition that occurs when the retina detaches, or separates, from the innermost lining of the eyeball. The retina is a sensitive membrane within your cat’s eye that receives light impulses through the lens. The retina then sends this information to the brain, which processes the visual information allowing for sight. Retinal detachment is a severe condition that may cause permanent blindness in your cat if treatment is delayed. If you suspect your cat is suffering from this condition you should seek immediate veterinary care for the best potential of a positive outcome.

Retinal detachment causes blindness in your cat. While this may be obvious to spot if the condition is affecting both eyes, if retinal detachment is unilateral (only involving the vision of one eye), the symptoms may be more subtle. Signs to watch for that your cat may be suffering from retinal detachment include:

• Lack or reduction in movement
• Bumping into things
• Falling excessively or missing jumps
• Improper dilation of eye

Retinal detachment occurs when the retina separates from the other, supportive structures within the eyeball, disrupting the normal communication of information from the outside world to the brain. There are several common causes of this condition:

• Hypertension or elevated blood pressure
• Trauma or injury
• Buildup of fluid behind the eye such as blood from a hemorrhage
• Age-related degenerative conditions in older cats
• Congenital defects (defects in the eye that your cat is born with)
• Glaucoma
• Side effect from eye surgery for cataracts or glaucoma
• Hyperthyroidism
• Tumors

Diagnosis of retinal detachment in your cat will begin with a thorough physical examination conducted in your veterinarian’s office. You should supply a complete medical and physical history of your cat to your vet at this time. You should note your cat’s approximate age if known and whether they have any history of other medical conditions. Of particular importance will be whether your cat has previously been diagnosed with hypertension, thyroid disease or other conditions from the list of potential causes of retinal detachment. You should also let your vet know whether your cat has recently suffered any traumatic impact or injury or whether they are allowed outside on a regular basis where they could have become injured.

Based on the information you provide, your veterinarian will proceed to thoroughly examine your cat’s eye for any signs of injury, tears or other damage. This will be done using an ophthalmoscope, a device similar to one used by human eye care professionals. In many cases, your veterinarian will also need to dilate your cat’s eyes. Similar to the procedure in humans, several drops of a dilating liquid are placed in your pet’s eyes and allowed to take effect. These drops are harmless and may cause impaired vision in your cat until they wear off.

Your veterinarian will also want to perform a full blood work up for your cat. These results will indicate whether your pet is suffering from an underlying condition that is causing the retinal detachment, such as hypertension or a thyroid disorder.

Treatment of retinal detachment in your cat will depend on the underlying cause and the severity of the injury in your pet. First, if your cat is suffering from swelling, hemorrhaging or hypertension, your vet will administer medications to immediately reduce the inflammation. This will treat the underlying cause of the detachment. 

The next step is to correct the detachment. This can be done with a conservative approach using medications or with surgical reattachment. In cases which the detachment is partial, allowing time for healing and regeneration of the retina is preferred. Anti-inflammatory drugs or steroids may be given to help support the healing process. In most mild cases, this conservative approach will be sufficient.

If there is significant damage or a complete tear of the retina, your vet may want to perform surgery on your cat’s eye. This will be a delicate procedure that should be conducted by a specialist in feline eye surgery. Your cat will need to undergo anesthesia for this procedure, which has a variety of potential risks if your cat is not otherwise in good health.

Depending on the severity of the detachment, your cat has a good prognosis for long term recovery after suffering retinal detachment. In most cases, your cat will have partial to full recovery of vision within several months. If your cat’s eye has been surgically repaired, it may take slightly longer for recovery. Since these types of injuries are prone to recur due to the weakness caused by the initial onset, you should strictly follow your vet’s treatment plan for dealing with the underlying condition and follow any post-operative instructions to ensure the best possible outcome for your pet.