Siamese cats are known for their striking blue almond-shaped eyes, unique color points, and overall elegant appearance, but like many other purebred cats, they are prone to genetic eye conditions. The Veterinary Vision Center team wants to provide Siamese cat owners with information that will help them recognize, prevent, and manage these issues to preserve vision and ensure long-term eye comfort and health.
Strabismus in Siamese cats
In cats with strabismus, the eyes appear misaligned. In humans, the condition is congenital and can be associated with vision problems, especially when only one eye is affected. In Siamese cats, both eyes are affected with a cross-eyed appearance that does not negatively impact vision. So many Siamese cats are affected that the condition is considered a normal breed variant, and many cat owners find the feature endearing.
Progressive retinal atrophy in Siamese cats
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a genetic condition that leads to retinal degeneration over time. The retina is the cell layer that lines the back of the eye, detects light signals, and transmits them to the brain. As these cells slowly die, the cat initially loses night vision and slowly progresses to general blindness.
Siamese cats are affected by a recessive form of PRA in which they must inherit a defective gene copy from each parent to develop the disease—they are a carrier if they inherit only one copy. Testing for the gene can reduce incidence in future generations, as symptoms do not become apparent until at least middle age, long after breeding cats have passed on the genes.
Nystagmus in Siamese cats
Nystagmus is a condition characterized by involuntary eye movement. In Siamese cats, the condition often occurs with strabismus. The eye movement is usually rhythmic, slow, and subtle, and may increase or decrease with certain head positions. Affected cats’ brains adapt to the movement, and the cat is presumed to have normal vision.
Glaucoma in Siamese cats
Glaucoma in cats is usually secondary to another eye disease or trauma that causes inflammation, although some breeds are prone to a congenital or genetic primary disease form. In Siamese cats, genetic glaucoma presents in kittens and young adults and causes a mild to moderate increase in intraocular pressure. The pressure increase occurs despite normal fluid drains in the eye (i.e., open-angle glaucoma), as opposed to glaucoma that occurs because the eye’s fluid drains are clogged or narrowed (i.e., narrow-angle glaucoma).
The increase in pressure may cause pain, retinal damage, or enlarged eyes, which can lead to secondary problems and the lens falling out of place. Untreated glaucoma can cause gradual vision deterioration or blindness from complications.
Recognizing eye issues in Siamese cats
Although the problems listed above are some of the most common, Siamese cats, like all other breeds, can be prone to many other eye diseases and conditions. Some genetic conditions are difficult to detect in the early stages and will be found only with regular physical and eye examinations. Signs that indicate a more urgent visit and eye health evaluation include redness, tearing, discharge, squinting, eye color changes, eye bulging, a cloudy eye appearance, or vision changes. Vision changes can be subtle and may include hesitancy to jump or bumping into unfamiliar or moved objects.
Managing genetic eye disease in Siamese cats
Several of the Siamese cat’s most common genetic eye issues, including strabismus, nystagmus, and PRA, require no treatment. Cats with glaucoma or other eye issues, such as corneal inflammation or ulcerations, may require long-term medications or surgeries to preserve vision or eliminate pain.
Cats who lose vision from PRA often adapt well, because the vision loss is slow, which allows them time to learn to navigate with their other senses. Cats who lose vision suddenly require an adjustment period, but will eventually do well in their familiar home environment. With these cats, avoid moving the furniture or their belongings so they can mentally map the area, keep them indoors, and resist the urge to pick them up to move them, which may disorient them.
Regular veterinary visits are important to monitor eye health and vision, as well as overall health and quality of life. You should also ensure your cat receives a high-quality and balanced diet, as nutritional deficiencies can cause or worsen some eye problems.
The pet owner can clearly see some of the Siamese cat’s common eye issues, but detecting others can be more difficult. We recommend scheduling annual eye examinations with the Veterinary Vision Center team to catch eye problems in their earliest stages. Contact us to schedule a visit or to learn more about common eye health issues in cats.
