Question:
Is ther any danger of the laser pointers causing cataracts if the cat
happens to look at it?
Answer:
Don't know of any studies done on the effects of shining a laser in a cat's
eyes, Mike, so I'll have to wing it - my guess is its probably not a good
idea.
Radiation is one of the causes of cataracts - and radiation is a principal
of the laser [l(ight) a(mplification by) s(timulated) e(mission of)
r(adiation).] Probably not enough to do any serious damage if its very
brief - but there's something about the combination of "lasers" and "eyes"
that just doesn't sit too well with me, unless you're performing retinal
photocoagulation...
My advice would be to give her a thorough Ophthalmic examination by a
veterinary Ophthalmolgist at a veterinary university hospital. If they're
hereditary cataracts and causing or anticipated to cause vision loss, the
prognosis for cataract surgery is better if surgery is done early in the
course of cataract development, before hypermaturity, lens induced uveitis,
and retinal detachment occur. It is not advisable to delay surgery until
your cat is blind in both eyes. If the cataracts are nonhereditary, surgery
may or may not be indicated to treat them. A thorough Ophthalmic
examination by a veterinary Ophthalmolgist would be your best course of
action and would determine if the cataracts are hereditary or nonhereditary
and if surgery is or is not necessary.
