Vision Restored With Total Darkness in Kittens With Amblyopia (Lazy Eye and Blindness Fix?)

Science Daily ^ | Feb 14, 2013 | Kevin Duffy and Donald Mitchell

[ConservativeMind]

Restoring vision might sometimes be as simple as turning out the lights. That's according to a study reported on February 14 in Current Biology, a Cell Press publication, in which researchers examined kittens with a visual impairment known as amblyopia before and after they spent 10 days in complete darkness.

[ConservativeMind]

It may restore eyesight to the blind, or correct lazy eye. Fascinating.

Other news articles are stating this might fix some forms of blindness. Unfortunately, we can't post from the ones I saw.

[beaversmom]

Ping

[Slings and Arrows]

And thus was Basement Cat born.

[Bobalu]

I just love cats! :-)

[Slings and Arrows]

Did someone say "luv cats?"

[Jeff Chandler]

Could it help Lucy?

[Bobalu]

OMG! How incredibly cute :-)
(Go ahead, please add me to your kitty ping list)

Cats have given me so much pleasure in my life!
It relaxes me and lowers my blood pressure to just watch them clean themselves...they are a gift from God.

[Slings and Arrows]

They are, and you’re added.

SA&

[Daffynition]

I read this sweet phrase: *Blind cats, see with their hearts.*

We've had cat's that were deaf, tripod, declawed [rescue] or thought they were a dog; but never blind; I can't imagine what challenges that would bring.

[Daffynition]

One more for your darling collection....

[Slings and Arrows]

*chuckle* Apparently blind cats can do quite well. Remember Oskar?

[Dr. Sivana]

We've had cat's that were deaf, tripod, declawed [rescue] or thought they were a dog; but never blind; I can't imagine what challenges that would bring.

Cats approaching 20 years often become blind. Keep'm indoors (a screened in porch is ideal for a former outdoor kitty), and DON'T MOVE THE FURNITURE. They still love, can use scent and hearing (unless that's shot, too) to find essentials ... people and treats.

[HomeAtLast]

When I was a tot, they put a patch on my lazy eye. Not only didn’t it help, it made the laziness spread all over me, nearing 100% by the time I was 17.

[Twotone]

You should read Homer’s Odyssey about a blind cat by Gwen Cooper. Here’s an brief interview on youtube...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGKIcp-pyi4

An amazing cat!

[TheOldLady]

Hopeful news for blind kittehs, and some human applications as well? This is great!

Thank you, as ever, my friend.

[Fire_on_High]

Google “Oskar the Blind Cat” sometime for a look at just how well a blind kitty can do for himself. He’s completely a normal, happy, loving cat who does normal silly cat things like sleep in boxes or drink from the tap.

[EinNYC]

Unfortunately, the researchers KILLED the kittens to analyze their brains. Poor babies.

[Slings and Arrows]

You’re very welcome.