Which inflammatory/infectious etiology is most common for cataracts in cats and horses?

• A. BVD in cattle
• B. Fungal uveitis
• C. Bacterial uveitis
• D. Uveitis-induced cataracts

Answer: (D)

Cataracts in cats and horses are most often the result of intraocular inflammation affecting the uveal tract (uveitis) over time. When uveitis is chronic, the inflammatory milieu disrupts the blood-aqueous barrier and lens homeostasis, releasing inflammatory mediators and enzymes that damage lens fibers. That damage leads to lens opacification and cataract formation. In horses, recurrent uveitis (moon blindness) is a classic setup for secondary cataracts, and in cats, various infectious or inflammatory uveitis conditions can similarly drive lens changes. Among the choices, uveitis-induced cataracts best captures the common pathway for cataract development in these species, whereas other options are less representative of how cataracts typically arise in cats and horses.