Vision Loss
Vision loss falls into two broad patterns — sudden and gradual — and the underlying cause, urgency, and treatment options differ significantly between them.
Sudden vision loss
Vision that disappears over hours to days is always an emergency. Common causes include glaucoma, SARDS/IMR, retinal detachment, and lens luxation. Many of these are treatable if caught early, but the window for a good outcome can be short.
Gradual vision loss
Vision that fades over weeks, months, or years is more often caused by a slowly progressing condition:
- Cataracts — progressive clouding of the lens, often related to diabetes, heredity, or age
- Glaucoma — gradual pressure elevation can cause slowly worsening vision before an acute crisis
- Chronic retinal disease — including longstanding, undertreated SARDS/IMR or other retinal degeneration
Early signs of gradual vision loss are often subtle — hesitating on stairs, bumping into furniture in dim light, or reluctance to jump — and are easy to miss until vision loss is advanced. Regular eye exams help catch these changes early.
Noticing changes in your pet's vision?
Whether the change is sudden or gradual, an eye exam is the best next step.