How fast do cataracts progress?

I took my older cat to the vet in late December due to what appeared to be an eye infection in one eye.  Vet gave me drops (Neomycin and Polymyxin B Sulfates and Dexamethasone ophthalmic suspension).  So these drops are an antibiotic with a steroid.  My cat seemed to do well with them, but after stopping the drops, her eye started watering and she kept her eye shut.  So I made an appt to go back to the vet.  In the mean time, I noticed it seemed she was having problems seeing (out of both eyes).  It appeared that she was going blind.  The vet said she had cataracts.  He hadn't noticed them when she went to the vet in late December, but he said she has them now.  So it appears as if she went blind (or near blind) over the course of 2-3 weeks!  How could that happen?  Do cataracts progress that quickly??

Vet did bloodwork and found no other underlying problems like diabetes.  Perhaps it is cancer, but most likely it is just cataracts.  I'm so surprised that the cataracts progressed that fast though.

Any thoughts on what could make her vision impaired so quickly and if cataracts progress that quickly?

I'm also looking into cataract surgery if there's anybody who has had their cat experience that, please let me know if it was successful or not!

Hi @7_Angel. I'm sorry you're going through this. I don't have any experience with this, but I did some research. According to PetMd, "The rate of progression of this disease depends on the underlying cause of the cataract, the location of cataract, and the age of the animal." It's also hereditary for some breeds and usually surgery is only recommended in cases of inherited cataracts. 

It can progress very rapidly, but I couldn't find anything that gave specifics. Best I can find is that it can progress very slowly or very rapidly, depending on the cause. Apparently diabetes progresses it the quickest, but you've said that's ruled out. Cats generally show no symptoms if the opacity is 30% or less, so perhaps it's just progressed passed that point but been developing for some time?

I wish I could be of more help, but I do hope things work out for you and your kitty.

Cataracts in cats aren't as common as they are in dogs, they are thought to usually be a secondary condition either related to a disease process such as diabetes or a disease process going on inside the eyes.  They can progress quite rapidly as you have experienced.  http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/cat-health/cataracts-cats  This website talks about a possible treatment for cataracts.  http://skeptvet.com/Blog/2012/05/n-...s-in-dogs-and-cats-can-c-bright-eyes-nac-etc/

How old is your cat? It seems odd to me that cataracts suddenly appeared. Why then would the eyedrops work on the one eye?
I've read a lot about the eyes in cats and what causes problems. Have you noticed any of the 4 eyelids turning in causing hair to rub on the eye? I read where this happens in older cats just like in older people. It can cause ulcers on the eye and probably looks just like cataracts.

Hi 7_Angel !

I would be very concerned if she were my cat. I know I would either insist on a referral to a Veterinary Ophthalmologist, or, if I were close enough to a Veterinary College, take her there myself.

There's something 'simmering' here and, it's not something I'd want brewing any longer.

These may help you:

• Find a Veterinary College

• Find a Veterinary Ophthalmologist