Cataracts rarely affect a cat's quality of life. Keep him/her indoor only, don't move the furniture, etc.... If they do start causing medical issues (glaucoma, uveitis, etc...) then go see a veterinary ophthalmologist. There is a wonderful doctor at The Hope Center in Vienna named Dr. Elizabeth Adkins. NOT a reason to put the cat down.

My cat started getting cataracts around age 9. They just didn't progress very fast, and we put him to sleep for other reasons at age 19. The vet never even mentioned surgery. Good luck.

My cat is 16 and has started to develop a cataract in one eye. She is otherwise perfectly healthy and I would not dream of "putting kitty to sleep". What a stupid, ignorant person to even suggest that!! Very annoying. Just look after them as normal. I wish you all the best.

Anonymous wrote:Cats can live quite happily with reduced vision. No need for either surgery or putting your cat to sleep. Simply keep enjoying life with her, and help her adjust, for example, by not moving furniture and helping her develop a routine. I hope you have many more joyful months or years with your cat before a serious problem develops.

Absolutely. Sure, consider the surgery with a vet you trust and see if it is the best plan of attack. It cant hurt to explore the option. But reduced vision for cats isn't like reduced vision for humans (and we don't euthanize them, either, lucky for me). Our geriatric cat went blind and managed very well until we had to move. In her old home, she seemed just a little bit clumsy or ungainly compared to her former sighted self. She'd still hop on the bed or into chairs with no sight-related trouble. She even managed the move very well, but her other ailments weren't as surmountable as blindness.

Ignore anyone who says that this is a sign that it's time to put her to sleep. If she's otherwise healthy and happy, there is no reason to even consider euthanasia at this point.

Cats can live quite happily with reduced vision. No need for either surgery or putting your cat to sleep. Simply keep enjoying life with her, and help her adjust, for example, by not moving furniture and helping her develop a routine. I hope you have many more joyful months or years with your cat before a serious problem develops.

IDK. Surgery is really hard on older animals and may kill her as PP said.

OP, maybe do a Google search for this to find answers on cat forums. The answers might be more helpful and you won't have anyone suggesting to put the cat to sleep if it's not necessary.

Sorry, don't have any personal experience with it.

My cat had eye surgery at that age. No need to put them to sleep.

Our cat has cataracts, but so far he can see well enough to get around the house without bumping into anything, find his food dish, and stare at the other small pets. The vet said to wait until it gets worse and to make a decision then based on his health (he's getting older, like many cataract patients).

Cat is 13 years old and otherwise healthy. You can see the cloudiness in her eyes, and I expect her vision is fairly impaired but she isn't blind.

I worry about the risks of surgery, but I don't want to sit back and do nothing if it would improve her quality of life.

Anyone done this? Cost isn't an issue -- mainly just wondering if it's worth the stress/pain/anesthesia risk.