There are various types of eye diseases that affect cats. It is important to note that some of these conditions can be treated with simple first aid, while others may need the attention of a veterinary ophthalmologist.

In this article, you’ll find a short introduction to cat eye illness. Plus, it will explain the necessity of an early diagnosis.

11 Cat Eye Illnesses

Cats, like us, can experience a variety of eye problems. Below, there’s a breakdown of the most frequent feline eye issues:

1. Cat Eye Infections

These are usually common and likely to be viral, and they could be occasioned by stress or any other sickness. Some might resolve themselves; however, for cats with a history of ocular diseases, the animal should be taken back to the vet within a few days; for those with no history of this, it should be within 24 hours.

2. Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)

This is more of a symptom than an actual disease that has an outlined name and symptoms. It brings about inflammation of the tissues around the eyes. Symptoms: The above categorization shows that many things can cause pink eye in cats, and thus it is easy to differentiate the cause. This inflammation in particular can be so pronounced that it will not even be visible to the eye! Although medications can help solve the problem and decrease inflammation, more investigations are frequently required. Pink eye in cats requires you to seek a vet as soon as possible within 24 hours.

3. Eye infections (scratches or sores on the eye)

These are damages to the transparent front part of the eyes, also known as the conjunctiva. Some symptoms are when a person tries to avoid light, especially during the daytime, complains of pain or itching in the eyes, has red or swollen eyes, and at times has secretions. If the corneal ulcer becomes infected, it is highly likely to worsen rapidly; hence, a vet should be consulted immediately.

4. Retinal Problems

These are usual and may well be related to pressures resulting from conditions such as hyperthyroidism and kidney diseases. Hypertension affects the blood vessels, and if pressure reaches the retina, it may lead to a break and thus blindness. As for the eye diseases, one of the most common problems in cats of older age is hypertensive retinopathy, which is associated with blood vessel damage. Some of the observable symptoms include sudden loss of vision, highly dilated pupils, and so on. The important thing is to require quick action in a bid to attempt to preserve the vision of your cat. Loss of sight, if not treated in the earliest of hours, adds up to extremely severe conditions like blindness.

5. Eye Irritation and Redness

These are general signs of different eye diseases. Any inflammation or rash is a signal to take the cat to the vet to ascertain if the problem was not caused by a vaccine.

6. Squinting

Squinting is another disease that affects the eyes a lot; it is a typical sign of the sickness. Cats will often have their eyes shut or partially shut if they are painful and/or swollen. It is vital to take the cat to the vet if you notice that it squints for more than these hours.

7. Glassy Eyes

This is an indication that the eyes are tearing profusely, mainly due to eye irritation or pain. If your cat has a glass-like look in the eyes or tear production increases, it is advisable to take them for a vet checkup.

8. Eye Discharge

Discharge is considered normal if just a small amount is present and/or located in the corner near the nose, if it is brown in color and slightly moist, or if it’s dried up. A lesser amount of clear liquid and white mechanical discharge does not pose a problem, but a tough substance with a large volume from locations other than the recommended area of discharge or alongside other signs and symptoms like squinting or inflamed testicles may present a problem. He should see a vet within a day or two to be discharged, especially if he displays other symptoms.

9. Swollen Eyes or Tear Ducts

Sometimes inflammation is so severe that it results in blockage of the tear duct, resulting in excessive tearing. The vet will focus on the cause of the blockage, for instance, conjunctivitis, as a means to open up the duct. Take your cat to the vet if it has too many tears or if the area around the eyes is swollen.

10. Cloudy Eyes

One definitely cannot overlook the fact that hazy vision, particularly when the eye opacity occurs at the corneal level, is a critical sign. Even total corneal haze can exist if the cornea received the injury in the form of a scratch or an ulcer. Any cloudiness of the eyes should be taken for a vet check as soon as possible.

11. Visible Third Eyelid

The third eyelid of the cat eye problem is a small gland in the lower corner of the eye adjacent to the nose. It is recessive; only when a cat feels sleepy does the feature become clearly visible. If the third lid remains partially or non-fully retracted at any time, even if your cat is well awake (and particularly in one or both eyes), Horner syndrome may be indicative of the disease. It would be best to observe the situation if it occurs infrequently and ceases upon the cat’s waking. If it continues, take the pet to the vet within the next few days.

 Less Frequent Cat Eye Illness

The vast majority of the eye disorders in cats are treatable, but there are certain varieties of them that occur more rarely. Here’s a breakdown of these eye issues to keep an eye on:

1. Cherry Eye

This is a condition where a small gland in the eye becomes prolapsed and looks like a red cherry near the nose. Fortunately, it is not as common in cats as it is in some dog’ breeds. Thus, with anti-inflammatory medications sometimes being effective, surgery may be required. More often than not, it simply may not look very good and does not necessitate that you do something about it. Supervise your cat’s eye and seek advice from your vet.

2. Glaucoma

This condition raises the pressure inside the eye and, over time, can result in vision impairment. This pressure, if high and acute, can cause a pretty rapid loss of sight, which is why glaucoma is considered an emergency. Fortunately, unlike in dogs, it is not very frequent in cats, but help from a professional should be sought at once if it is suspected.

3. Ectropion

A condition that is fairly rare, it is characterized by a situation where the eyelid rolls outward, showing the inner surface. Though it is not life-threatening, surgery always cures it. As a pet owner, you could easily overlook this, and any eye issue is always a call to the vet.

4. Entropion

An antonym of ectropion, entropion is a state in which the eyelid turns in and the fur strokes the eye, causing irritation that leads to the formation of ulcers. This can be very painful for your cat and hence should be avoided so that your cat can be comfortable at all times. Occasionally, it results from other eye problems; however, it can be a primary condition. The treatment includes blepharoplasty and referring the patient to a relevant medical professional, as the case may be. If you suspect that your cat has entropion, it is advisable that you take your cat to a vet.

5. Cataracts

These form when the cornea or lens that is in the eye becomes thick and the inside portion resembles a marble that has been frosted. Irrespective of corneal clouding, the interior part of the eye is not fully obscured, as is the case with cataracts. Cataracts are relatively rare in cats, more so compared to dogs. It can be transmitted in the family, caused by aging, or caused by diabetes, which affects the formation of cataracts.

The regular check is often done by the vets, and in some cases, surgery is recommended. Severe cataracts can result in total vision loss, but this is not very much of a problem because the cats adapt to this gradual loss of vision. All cases of cloudy eyes should be taken to the vet to help in diagnosing the reason behind the condition.

What to Do if You Think Your Cat Has an Eye Problem

The priority must lie in getting your cat to the vet as soon as possible. Screening and treatment in the early stage can avoid development of complications and blindness as well. Your vet will examine the eye and may prescribe some medications, eye drops, or in some cases could be surgery.

Given below are some ways to prevent eye problems in cats:

• Regular Vet Checkups: Dental check-ups assist to detect any eye complications that might be developing and thus are done regularly.
• Vaccinations: Ensuring that one takes his/her vaccinations regularly assists maintain a destroy on infections that may cause eye complications.
• Healthy Diet: Nutrition is important to ones general health, and therefore, could positively affect eye health.
• Scratching Post: Giving a scratching post can help eliminate eye injuries as a result of rubbing on furniture or other related objects.

Last Words

For your cat to maintain healthy eyes and be able to see the world clearly in the many years to come, ensure you are observant of the signs and causes of cat eye illness and reduce or avoid them.