This page has been here for some time and I have reviewed the comments. It seems that in all cases a dilated pupil has indicated blindness or partial blindness. This does not surprise me as the closing of the pupil is a response to seeing bright light. If the cat can’t detect this it won’t close.

Cats compensate well which masks problems. Conditions that affect eyesight are:

Retinal diseases

Progressive Retinal Atrophy – retinal cells degenerate. No treatment.

Retinitis – inflammation of the retina. Cells become damaged. This disease occurs in association with toxoplasmosis, FIP, lymphoma, cryptococcis, systemic fungus infections, hypertension (high blood pressure is a common cause), eye injury, Retina may become detached

Central Retinal Degeneration

Dietary problem can be the cause – lack of taurine in diet. Causes partial blindness.

Another cause – antibiotic enrofloxacin.

Hope this helps.

Michael

i have had 2 older cats in the last 6 months with this problem-almost overnight the first one had horrid red streaking in eyes-rushed to vet-blindness occurred due to very high blood pressure that blew out his retinas-some vets do not have equipment to test for bp-he has adjusted well with meds and gets around well-second one has it too-seems partially blind and is constantly pacing-vet and i are not sure why he is pacing-anxiety???giving a little tranquilizer—-i have had many,many animals but never had this problem-i would suggest tests for high blood pressure and thyroid tests-bb

I have a manx that doesn’t appear to have slits for eyes they are round like a humans. Is this what they consider dialated? Her eyes are always like this they do not go into slits ever. She is an indoor cat and has been since kittenhood. That I know of she was not inbred or neglected as far as her regular visits to a veterinary. She appears to see just fine, plays with toys, jumps up on tables accurately and even follows a laser light on the floor. I am very curious about this condition with her eyes. She does have very light blue eyes.
Can I get more information about this condition?

My kitten spooky, said to look like an havanah brown, but not. She was rescued from a cat hoarder and sadly her siblings are already having litters of their own. all of the 20-30 cats this woman has now she cant care for and they all have dilated pupils. This shows that whatever it is its hereditary. She was treated at 8 weeks old for ear mites and an umbilical lump on her belly, which is apparently commen for constant pregnancies of the mom cat. Shes now perfectly healthy, vaccinated and neutered but her eyes are both dilated permenently and the vet shows no concern with it. She can see partially in both eyes but the best in the right eye per light tests performed but she plays with a toy and can’t find where it landed. She gets on tables, counters and everywhere which is typical but i’m concerned about treatment. I don’t want whatever it is to get worse over time, i want to treat the issue and can’t get anyone to show interest in soving it. Also another trait her and all 30 cats in that house are polydactyl cats, they have extra toes on each paw. she has an extra toe on each paw that makes them look like boxing gloves which per the internet is just a genetic trait that is passed onto each litter. the inbreeding is making me nervous on her future. any one can help i’d appreciate it..
thanks

My cat is 5 years old and in low or medium light her pupils look like round saucers. Her eyes have been that way since she was a kitten. Her pupils do contract to slits in a bright sunny room. Over the past year I noticed that she is having vision problems up close. She will run into walls especially if they are painted white. She no longer chases strings or plays with toys. I spoke with a vet that specializes in cats and she did not seem concerned. She offered a referral to a specialist and that was her only suggestion. No tests were done. Anyone having similar issues?

Hi all,

I am about to adopt a kitten with dilated pupils. He is not blind and responds well to objects in front of him and while playing. Derek, have you found anything about your cat?

Thanks,
Susie

I pointed this out 2years ago to my vet, who specializes in cats, and she was likewise puzzled. She said if the kitty had hypertension he would have it in both eyes and that you would see small pinholes in the iris. We do not, and it is only in the right eye. She seemed unconcerned and did not prescribe any medication, and also assured me he was NOT blind in that eye.
As time went on, I changed vets for various reasons, and our new, and very thorough vet, said he does have glaucoma in that eye (only), he probably has been blind in that eye all along, and it did not appear to be hypertension. The intraoccular pressure was quite high when she first saw him, she prescribed drops which brought it down almost immediately, but after 6 months it was back up, so we are now on a different medication. She consulted with a feline ophthamologist on the subject. You might want to see if you have one in your area and check it out. Your kitty may have early stages of glaucoma, which is what I believe at this point, mine did.
Good luck to you.

Hi Derek, Pleasure, but as I said a good vet is the answer. There will be an underlying problem that might be quite serious. The dilated eyes simply being one symptom. There are other possibilities. I would have thought fairly quick treatment is required. Good luck to your cat and to you.

Michael

Thank you for your comments and advice Michael.
I have an appointment with the vet again in 10 days, if I cannot get a satisfactory answer from him I will consider changing my vet. I had to point out the problem to him and I must admit he seemed puzzled. I do not know what a low sodium diet would consist of.

Thanks again

Derek