Sudden Onset of Blindness

Numerous ocular and systemic diseases can cause the sudden onset of blindness in dogs and cats. Fortunately, many of these conditions are reversible and easily treated if diagnosed in the early stage of disease. Any sudden decline in vision should be immediately evaluated by your veterinarian or ophthalmologist.

Please don't wait

Many conditions resulting in sudden onset of blindness are the result of systemic diseases, which can be life-threatening. Careful systemic examination of patients with sudden onset of blindness is a must, in order to prevent more serious consequences for systemic health.

Sudden blindness with a “red eye” appearance

The most frequent conditions causing excessive eye redness together with blindness are glaucoma, lens luxation, severe intraocular inflammation (uveitis, chorioretinitis), acute trauma, bleeding disorders resulting in blood accumulation inside the eye, and rapid cataract progression — most frequently seen in diabetic dogs, as a result of trauma, or in some forms of hereditary cataracts (Bichon Frise breed).

Glaucoma

Sudden rise in eye pressure

Rapidly forming cataract

Especially in diabetic dogs

Sudden blindness with a “normal” eye appearance

The most frequent conditions causing sudden onset of blindness with normal eye appearance are sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS), immune-mediated retinitis (IMR), retinal detachment, optic neuritis/meningitis, toxin exposure (particularly ivermectin exposure), optic nerve tumors, orbital tumors, brain tumors, and ischemic events (stroke) affecting brain regions responsible for vision processing.

SARDS / IMR

Our specialty — autoimmune retinal disease

Retinal detachment

Often related to blood pressure

Sudden blindness in cats

Sudden onset of blindness in cats is most frequently associated with high blood pressure (systemic hypertension). Different infectious diseases (viral, fungal, bacterial) and cancers can also result in sudden onset of blindness. Unfortunately, blindness in cats can also be induced by prolonged administration of some systemic antibiotics (fluoroquinolones). Many causes of sudden onset of blindness in cats are reversible if early diagnosis is established and appropriate medical treatment is initiated before irreversible damage develops.

Sudden vision loss needs same-day attention

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