Bsd
Any sources on Zvachim 85 that Rabbi Akiva permits cataract on beheima and in Maseches Gittin 55b-56 Zechariah Ben Avkilus who made no exception even for horaas shaa on Bar Kamtza's intentionally inflicted cataract ? Wasn't Rabbi Akiva there as well who permits it (bdieved)?
David Scop
1) Rebbi Akiva does not permit the animal with the cataract in the first place as a Korban, but merely says that if one has already brought it upon the Mizbe'ach, one need not remove it. See also Tosfos, beginning of Zevachim 77b, Rashash to Menachos 79a, and Mikdash David #4, page 29, DH ub'Ikar ha'Machlokes.
2) Rebbi Akiva was 68 years old at the time of the destruction of the Beis ha'Mikdash (Seder ha'Doros). He started learning only at the age of 40 (Avos d'Rebbi Nasan 6:2). He learned for the next 40 years and led the Jewish people in the last 40 years of his life (Sifri, Parshas v'Zos ha'Berachah #357). So at the time of the issue concerning Rebbi Zecharyah ben Avkilus, Rebbi Akiva would not yet have been considered to be one of the leading authorities.
Kol Tuv,
Dovid Bloom