Cats (and many other animals) have a layer of cells behind their retinas called the tapetum lucidum. This layer enhances night vision by reflecting light that passes through the retina back into the eyes. When light enters the eye, some of it is absorbed by the retina's cells, allowing the brain to process visual information. However, the tapetum lucidum reflects the remaining light back through the retina, giving the photoreceptor cells a second chance to detect the light. This reflection of light enhances their night vision capabilities and is what causes a cat's eyes to appear to glow in the dark or in low light conditions.