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Some more common eye issues in cats include: eye infections, usually caused by a virus or bacteria and often cause redness, swelling and irritation. injuries, such as scratches to the surface of the eye. conjunctivitis, which causes very runny, red eyes, often caused by irritants. glaucoma, or increased pressure in the eye, is a painful ...
Symptoms. If your cat has a problem with either of his/her eyes, you may notice the following: Weeping/discharge. Redness or swelling. Cloudiness. Pain/blinking/keeping one or both eye (s) closed. Third eyelid showing. A lump in or around the eye. Loss of vision.
- Conjunctivitis
- Keratitis
- Corneal Ulcers
- Glaucoma
- Retinal Atrophy
- Haw’s Syndrome
- Horner’s Syndrome
- Cataracts
- Entropion
- Eye Infections & Symptoms
Also known as pink eye, conjunctivitis refers to inflammation of the membrane that lines the front of the eyeball and the inside surface of the eyelids. Dr. Anthony Alario, DVM, DACVO, a veterinary ophthalmologist at New England Veterinary Opthalmology, tells us this is the most common cat eye problem seen in his feline patients. Affected cats tend...
Keratitis refers to inflammation of the cornea: the clear protective dome on the front of the eye. This affects a cat’s vision by causing the usually transparent cornea to become cloudy. Additional signs of keratitis include redness, swelling, discharge, excessive tearing, and eye discoloration. You may also notice squinting, rubbing at the eyes, a...
A corneal ulcer is a scratch or abrasion on the cornea. It’s relatively common, and trauma or a flare-up of feline herpesvirus are the usual causes. Clinical signs include redness, eye-watering, blood in the eye, swelling near the ulcer, discharge, and cloudiness. You may also notice your cat squinting, pawing at their face, keeping their eyes clos...
While more common in dogs, cats also experience glaucoma. This occurs when excessive fluid builds up in the eye, causing harmful pressure. Affected eyes are cloudy and red and may appear bulging due to the pressure. Dilated pupils are also common. Typically, glaucoma is seen secondary to chronic uveitis. However, it can also occur independently, pa...
The retina lines the inner surface of the eye. Retinal atrophy or degeneration refers to the thinning of this lining over time. The most common cause of this breakdown is an inherited disease called progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). PRA is common in some breeds, like Abyssinians. Additionally, reactions to high doses of antibiotics may cause the c...
Dr. Holmberg says Haw’s syndrome is a less common cat eye problem. The hallmark sign of Haw’s syndrome is a protrusion of the third eyelid, AKA “cherry eye.” In addition, affected cats may have diarrhea. Thankfully, Haw’s syndrome is not painful. While it doesn’t directly harm a cat’s eyesight, the enlarged third eyelid may compromise their ability...
This neurological disorder indicates damage to the nerves responsible for the body’s automatic functions, including pupil dilation, blinking, and eyelid movement. Nerve damage may occur following an injury to the neck or spine, blood clots in the spinal cord, tumors, or middle ear infections. Most symptoms will manifest in an eye on one side of the...
Cataracts are seen less frequently in cats than in dogs. They can be identified by a distinct clouding of the eye with a gray-white film, which covers the lens incrementally. The number one cause of cataracts in cats is chronic intraocular inflammation (uveitis). They can also appear as a cat gets older. Genetics also come into play, with hereditar...
Entropion is the inward rolling of the eyelid, which causes painful friction between the eyelashes and the eye surface. “This is usually seen in older cats or cats with prominent cheekbones, like Maine Coons,” Dr. Alario says. Flat-faced breeds, like Persians, are also prone to entropion. Signs of entropion include excessive tearing, squinting, red...
Cats may also experience a variety of infections that can affect their eyes, including: 1. Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV): One of the most common infectious diseases in cats worldwide, FIV weakens the immune system. This leaves cats susceptible to secondary infections causing eye inflammation, sneezing, or a runny nose. 2. Feline leukemia (FeL...
Apr 4, 2024 · Cat Cataracts: When Older Cats' Vision is Clouded. Glaucoma: When Eye Pressure is Too High. Keratitis: When the Cornea is Inflamed. Corneal Ulcers: Direct, Frontal Damage. Eye problems in cats are fairly common. It can be particularly worrisome as a cat owner to see your favorite feline's eyes change from crystal clear.
- Brendan Howard
- 1 min
Here, we look at how to check your cat’s eye health, how to clean their eyes if necessary and how to spot the symptoms of the most common cat eye problems. Plus, don’t miss our fun fact sheet on your cat’s amazing eyes! Cat eye health checks. It’s a good idea to get into the habit of checking your cat’s eyes at least once a week.
Overview. The conjunctiva is a very thin layer of tissue that covers the inside of the eyelid and runs across the front of the eye. It’s so thin, it’s almost invisible. Conjunctivitis is when this thin layer of tissue becomes inflamed (swollen), often causing red, itchy, painful and weepy eyes. Cat flu is an extremely common cause of ...
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Mar 5, 2024 · How to Treat Eye Infections in Cats. Once the testing is complete your veterinarian may prescribe medicated eye drops or ointment. These may contain antibiotics, steroids, or other anti-inflammatory drugs. Depending on the main cause of the infection and the severity of symptoms, oral medications may also be necessary.
