Feline central retinal degeneration due to taurine deficiency
7-year-old cat living with two dogs that has been eating their food for years. At a check-up, an elliptical hyperreflective area dorsolateral to the optic disc is seen in both eyes. Vision is normal.
Which statement is correct?
chevron_right Show answer and explanation
A. With taurine and a cat diet, the lesion will disappear within a few weeks
Supplementation halts progression, but lost photoreceptors do not regenerate: the lesion remains.
B. It is a Toxoplasma chorioretinitis scar and should be treated with clindamycin
Inactive scars are irregular and multifocal; a symmetrical bilateral lesion in the area centralis, on a dog-food diet, points to taurine. An inactive scar would not be treated with antimicrobials anyway.
C. It is taurine-deficiency retinopathy: a complete cat diet and supplementation halt progression, although the lesion does not reverse; the heart should be assessed
Correct. Cats cannot synthesise enough taurine, and dog, home-made or vegetarian diets may be deficient. The lesion starts in the area centralis and, if uncorrected, progresses to a horizontal band and diffuse degeneration with blindness. The same deficiency causes dilated cardiomyopathy.
D. It is hereditary progressive retinal atrophy and nothing can be done
Hereditary atrophy causes diffuse hyperreflectivity and vascular attenuation; here the lesion is focal in the area centralis and there is a correctable dietary cause.
lightbulb Key takeaway
Feline central retinal degeneration progresses through stages: granular focus in the area centralis, hyperreflective ellipse dorsolateral to the disc, a second medial lesion, a horizontal band joining them and generalised degeneration. Always ask what the cat eats and measure whole-blood taurine.
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Updated: October 31, 2026 · Educational content for veterinary professionals. It does not replace current clinical guidelines or the judgement of the attending veterinarian.