Thats very interesting Jane-lots of info on various eye conditions.
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I have a 10yr old Sooty, who has age related lens degeneration (which I believe is cataracts) on both eyes. She can see distances but is easily spooked by anything approaching her suddenly as her near vision is not so good. I see on other eye condition web sites they advise eating green vegetables like broccoli as being helpful to slow the onset of both cataracts and macular degeneration.
I will ask my vet about the possibility of vitamin supplements (if there are any suitable for rabbits?) helping her eye condition when she goes for her myxi inoculation later this month.
other advice for humans regarding cataracts is of no help to rabbits(-stop smoking, reduce alcohol consumption and wear sunglasses!) though I notice she doesn't like to be out in strong sunshine, and since reading that I will no longer encourage her to come out and play in the sun as it seems she knows best after all!
I believe rabbits with poor sight "scan" and I see that rapid eye movements can help disperse hallucinations in people with macular degeneration and perhaps that is what the rabbits are doing by "scanning"?
It could also explain aggressive or defensive behaviour in rabbits with poor sight depending on the images they have "seen"- If a rabbit hears your voice but has the image of a fox he would be very scared or he may have the image of another rabbit taking his food whereby he would be aggressive.
It certainly is an area for investigation. How do vets check if a rabbit has macular degeneration? It seems humans report visual problems but that wouldnt be so for a rabbit. Would it be prudent for owners of rabbits with behavioural problems to get their rabbits eyes tested ?-Sue:wave: