Disorder - Retinal degeneration, central

Organ Systems Involved
Nervous/sensory

Alternative disorders described within LIDA

Progressive retinal atrophy; Retinal degeneration type II

Alternative Names
Feline central retinal degeneration

Presenting Signs

The inside of the eye is lined by a layer of tissue called the retina. Its function is to detect light and send information about the light it senses to the brain. Feline central retinal degeneration (FCRD) is a disorder where the cells in this layer deteriorate and can no longer function as normal.

FCRD can be seen in cats at any age. As the cells of the retina can no longer function properly, blindness is the main sign of this disease. The degree of blindness is the same in both eyes, and gets progressively worse over time. Some animals may adapt to their developing poor eyesight and may not show any signs of blindness at first. Signs of blindness include running into furniture that has been moved recently, increased aggression and a reduction in activity. FCRD is not painful to the animal and the condition is irreversible. It is caused by a lack of an essential mineral, taurine, in the animal’s diet; it is not an inherited disorder. This is no longer a common disorder since pet food companies began adding taurine to pet food.

Cats at Risk

Cats that are fed a diet which doesn't contain taurine.

PubMed References
Retinal degeneration, central

Contributor
Clancy Crean