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Eye Problems in Cats: An Overview
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en-gb" lang="en-gb" xmlns:fb="http://ogp.me/ns/fb#"> <head> <base href="https://www.cathealth.com/cat-health/vision/2623-eye-problems-in-cats-an-overview" /> <meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /> <meta name="keywords" content="eye problems in cats, what's wrong with my cat's eyes, why is my cat squinting, why is there goop in my cat's eyes" /> <meta name="author" content="Katie Schlossin" /> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow" /> <meta name="description" content="Learn the most common causes of eye problems in cats and why your cat may be squinting." /> <meta name="generator" content="Joomla! - Open Source Content Management" /> <title>Eye Problems in Cats: An Overview</title> <link href="/templates/cathealthj3/favicon.ico" rel="shortcut icon" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" /> <style type="text/css"> .fb_iframe_widget {max-width: none;} .fb_iframe_widget_lift {max-width: none;} @media print { .css_buttons0,.css_buttons1,.css_fb_like,.css_fb_share,.css_fb_send,css_fb_photo,.css_twitter,.css_google,.css_google_share,.css_linkedin,.css_pinterest,.css_fb_comments,.css_fb_comments_count { display:none }} </style> <script src="//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.0" type="text/javascript"></script> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.cathealth.com/images/overview_of_cat_eye_conditions.jpg" /> <meta property="og:image:width" content="690" /> <meta property="og:image:height" content="460" /> <meta property="og:image:type" content="image/jpeg" /> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://www.cathealth.com/images/overview_of_cat_eye_conditions.jpg" /> <meta property="og:title" content="Eye Problems in Cats: An Overview" /> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Eye Problems in Cats: An Overview" /> <meta property="og:description" content="Learn the most common causes of eye problems in cats and why your cat may be squinting." /> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Learn the most common causes of eye problems in cats and why your cat may be squinting." /> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@cathealth" /> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/templates/cathealthj3/css/styles.css" type="text/css" /> </head> <body class="contentpane"><div id='fb-root'></div> <div id="system-message-container"> </div> <div class="item-page ch_item_page"> <h1 class="item-page-title ch_page_title_h1"><a href="/cat-health/vision/2623-eye-problems-in-cats-an-overview">Eye Problems in Cats: An Overview</a></h1> <ul class="button-icons"> <li class="print-icon"> <a href="#" onclick="window.print();return false;"> <img src="/templates/cathealthj3/images/system/printButton.png" alt="Print" /> </a> </li> </ul> <img class="mainimageleft" src="/images/overview_of_cat_eye_conditions.jpg" width="450" height="300" alt="Learn the most common conditions that affect cats’ eyes." title="Learn about cat eye conditions." /> <!--h1>Eye Problems in Cats: An Overview</h1--> <p>There are lots of conditions that can negatively affect a cat's eyes. Whenever you see something different about your cat's eyes, it's crucial to get to the vet right away. Some things are easy to resolve, but as they worsen, it may become more difficult, and the kitty's vision could be compromised.</p> <p>In the meantime, here are the most common eye conditions in cats, so you can keep an <i>eye out</i> for their signs.</p> <h3>Conjunctivitis</h3> <p>Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the soft tissue in the eyelids. Cats with conjunctivitis may appear to have swollen eyes. Redness is often evident around the edges of the eyelids, and discharge from the eyes could be clear, yellow, green, or white.</p> <p>In cats, conjunctivitis can be caused by many conditions, including allergies, bacteria, and viruses. In kittens, herpesvirus (discussed below) is a big cause of conjunctivitis.</p> <div class="moduletable"> <div class="custom" > <div class="embedded-video" style="width: 454px; margin: 4px 4px 10px 10px;"> <div class="wrap_embedded_vid"> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/D1FrFzUQ-5k" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h3>Uveitis</h3> <p>Uveitis is inflammation of the uvea, which is a combination of the iris, ciliary body, and choroid of the eye. It's a painful condition, and cats that have it may rub at their eye, squint, and present a red eye or eyes. The pressure inside the eye is too low.</p> <p>Causes of uveitis in cats can include trauma to the eye, infections (especially <b><a href="/cat-health/infectious-diseases/1202-cat-feline-leukemia-virus">FeLV</a></b>, <b><a href="/cat-health/infectious-diseases/1296-feline-infectious-peritonitis">FIP</a></b>, <b><a href="/cat-health/infectious-diseases/1295-feline-immunodeficiency-virus">FIV</a></b>, and <b><a href="/cat-health/parasites-health/2465-toxoplasmosis-in-cats">toxoplasmosis</a></b>), <b><a href="/cat-health/metabolic-and-hormonal-disorders/2149-feline-diabetes-mellitus">diabetes</a></b> and other metabolic conditions, <b><a href="/cat-health/cardiovascular/1284-feline-hypertension">high blood pressure</a></b>, and exposure to toxins.</p> <h3>Herpesvirus</h3> <p>Herpesvirus is a big cause of <b><a href="/cat-health/respiratory/1325-cat-upper-respiratory-tract-conditions">upper respiratory infections</a></b> in cats. It spreads easily between cats. Infections are usually most severe in young kittens and cats with immune-compromising underlying conditions.</p> <p>Among other signs of upper respiratory infection, like sneezing, herpesvirus often causes severe conjunctivitis. Kittens may have so much eye discharge that they're eyelids are "glued" shut. Some kittens with severe cases may have lifelong residual eye trouble.</p> <div class="rightad cright"> <div class="moduletable suggestion_rect banner embeddedrect embbnr"> <div class="bannergroup suggestion_rect banner embeddedrect embbnr"> <div class="banneritem"> <a href="/component/banners/click/74" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" title="Please Can I?"> <img src="https://www.cathealth.com/images/banners/PPrect_please-can-i_300x250.jpg" alt="Please can I have a Purrfect Post?" width="300" height="250" /> </a> <div class="clr"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h3>Corneal Ulcers</h3> <p>A corneal ulcer is a scratch or perforation of the outer layer of the eye, the cornea. It causes redness, eye drainage, squinting, rubbing at the eye, and pain.</p> <p>A cat may get a scratched eye from a foreign object, a fight with another cat, or from rubbing their eye too aggressively due to another condition.</p> <p>Severe conjunctivitis from another cause can also damage the cornea and result in an ulcer.</p> <p>Learn more: "<b><a href="/cat-health/vision/2473-corneal-ulcers-in-cats">Corneal Ulcers in Cats</a></b>."</p> <h3>Melanoma</h3> <p>Melanoma is a type of cancer that arises in melanocytes, which are pigment cells. Because there are melanocytes in the iris and behind the retina, melanoma can occur in the eye.</p> <p>Ocular melanoma (melanoma of the eye) in cats can present as diffuse dark areas visible in the eye or a raised, dark area around the edge of the eye.</p> <p>Melanoma can cause uveitis or glaucoma and pain in the eye.</p> <div class="rightad cright"> <div class="moduletable internal_banner2 embbnr"> <div class="bannergroup internal_banner2 embbnr"> <div class="banneritem"> <a href="/component/banners/click/67" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" title="Charlie Favorite"> <img src="https://www.cathealth.com/images/banners/charlie_favorite_ppstd_300x250.jpg" alt="Charlie Loves his Purrfect Post" width="300" height="250" /> </a> <div class="clr"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h3>Hypertensive Retinopathy</h3> <p><b><a href="/cat-health/cardiovascular/1284-feline-hypertension">High blood pressure</a></b> in cats, which can be secondary to <b><a href="/cat-health/metabolic-and-hormonal-disorders/2155-hyperthyroidism">hyperthyroidism</a></b>, <b><a href="/cat-health/urinary-system/1334-feline-chronic-kidney-disease">kidney disease</a></b>, or <b><a href="/cat-health/cardiovascular/1666-heart-disease-in-cats">heart disease</a></b>, can cause sudden blindness in cats due to the hypertension's effect on the retina.</p> <p>The high blood pressure damages the delicate blood vessels of the retina and can eventually cause it to detach.</p> <h3>Glaucoma</h3> <p>Glaucoma is when there is increased pressure inside the eye. It causes pain and, eventually, blindness.</p> <p>In cats, glaucoma can be caused by a malformation of the eye that doesn't allow proper drainage of the fluid inside it, but that's rare. It is most common in Siamese and Burmese cats.</p> <p>Glaucoma can also be secondary to some other eye condition, like trauma or a tumor.</p> <p>Glaucoma can cause the eye to look like it's bulging. It can also cause redness of the eye, wateriness, and the cat may rub at the eye.</p> <p>Glaucoma is an emergency because there's extraordinarily little time to treat the eye and potentially save sight. That's why, whenever your cat's eye doesn't look right, you should call the vet right away.</p> <h3>Cataracts</h3> <p>Cataracts are opacities in the eye's lens. This can negatively impact the cat's ability to see, eventually even causing blindness in the eye.</p> <p>Cataracts are rarer in cats than in dogs, but they can occur. Causes can include <b><a href="/cat-health/metabolic-and-hormonal-disorders/2149-feline-diabetes-mellitus">diabetes</a></b>, inflammation, cancer, radiation exposure, and trauma to the eye.</p> <h2>Diagnosing Feline Eye Problems</h2> <p>When you take your cat to the veterinarian because you suspect an eye problem, the doctor will first take a history of the problem from you and look over your cat's chart to make sure he or she understands any concurrent medical conditions.</p> <p>Next, your vet will do a complete physical exam, including taking a temperature, feeling lymph nodes, and looking into the eyes with an ophthalmoscope.</p> <p>Next, the doctor may want to do some more specific tests to narrow down the problem. Some of these can include:</p> <div class="rightad cright"> <div class="moduletable internal_banner banner embbnr"> <div class="bannergroup internal_banner banner embbnr"> <div class="banneritem"> <a href="/component/banners/click/77" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" title="Multi-Purrpose Cat Tool"> <img src="https://www.cathealth.com/images/banners/PPrect_multi-purrpose_300x250.jpg" alt="Multi-purrpose Cat Tool" width="300" height="250" /> </a> <div class="clr"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <ul> <li><b>Blood pressure check</b></li> <li><b>Blood work</b></li> <li><b>Staining the eye</b></li> <li><b>Checking pressure in the eye</b></li> </ul> <p>Once your vet has narrowed down the diagnosis, treatment may include:</p> <ul> <li>Oral medication</li> <li>Topical eye medication</li> <li>Injections</li> <li>Other treatments as necessary for underlying conditions</li> </ul> <p>For some conditions, your general vet may recommend a referral to a veterinary eye specialist.</p> <div class="moduletable_chbanner cnone tcenter"> <div class="bannergroup_chbanner cnone tcenter"> <div class="banneritem"> <a href="/component/banners/click/14" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" title="Dog Health have a dog"> <img src="https://www.cathealth.com/images/banners/dog_health_have_a_dog_dog_health.jpg" alt="Dog Health have a dog" /> </a> <div class="clr"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="moduletable ymal_ad"> <div class="bannergroup ymal_ad"> <div class="banneritem"> <a href="/component/banners/click/80" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" title="CH PP More Exciting Things"> <img src="https://www.cathealth.com/images/banners/ch_pp_more_exciting_360x300.jpg" alt="There are more exciting things to scratch than your couch" width="360" height="300" /> </a> <div class="clr"></div> </div> </div> </div> <p><b>You May Also Like These Articles:</b></p> <p><a href="/cat-health/infectious-diseases/1202-cat-feline-leukemia-virus">Feline Leukemia Virus</a></p> <p><a href="/cat-health/infectious-diseases/1296-feline-infectious-peritonitis">FIP: Feline Infectious Peritonitis in Cats</a></p> <p><a href="/cat-health/cardiovascular/1284-feline-hypertension">Feline Hypertension</a></p> <p><a href="/cat-health/respiratory/1325-cat-upper-respiratory-tract-conditions">Upper Respiratory Tract Conditions in Cats</a></p> <div class="moduletable"> <div class="custom" > <div class="disclaimer" style="border-top: 1px dashed #CCC; padding-top: 10px; margin-top: 10px; clear: both;">Disclaimer: This website is not intended to replace professional consultation, diagnosis, or treatment by a licensed veterinarian. <u>If you require any veterinary related advice, contact your veterinarian promptly.</u> Information at CatHealth.com is exclusively of a general reference nature. <u>Do not disregard veterinary advice or delay treatment as a result of accessing information at this site.</u> Just Answer is an external service not affiliated with CatHealth.com. </div></div> </div> </div> </body> </html>