- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Eyes are delicate and important organs! If your cat’s eyes suddenly appear cloudy, puffy, or red, you might worry about cat eye problems that affect both their vision and overall health.
Not every cat eye problem will cause vision loss, especially if your vet can diagnose and treat the issue right away. It’s important to make an appointment with your vet if you notice any changes in your cat’s eyes, or if they seem to have trouble with their vision.
Below, learn about the 15 most common cat eye problems and what your vet can do to treat them.
Pink Eye
Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is a condition that causes inflammation in your cat’s conjunctiva. This is the membrane that covers the whites of their eyes and the inside of their eyelids.
Cats with pink eye tend to have red, swollen tissue around the eyes, which can cause discomfort and squinting.
Most commonly, pink eye happens due to the feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1). It can also develop after bacterial infections or if a foreign object enters your cat’s eye. Treatments include antibiotics or antiviral medications, depending on the underlying cause.
Keratitis
This condition causes inflammation of the cornea, which is the clear protective dome on the front of your cat’s eye. Like pink eye, it’s often caused by FHV-1.
Cats with keratitis may have cloudy, red, swollen, or watery eyes. You might also see some oozing discharge.
Keratitis episodes can occur throughout life in cats who have FHV-1. Without treatment, cats may eventually lose their vision. However, many cats with this condition respond well to antibiotics and other interventions, like surgery.
Ulcers
A corneal ulcer happens when the top layer of the cornea loses important cells and forms ulcers. This condition can develop as a side effect of FHV-1, but it can also happen due to scratches or other eye trauma.
Signs of this condition include:
- Red, cloudy, or watery eyes
- Blood in the eye
- Swelling
- Discharge
“Fortunately, most corneal ulcers heal quickly with minimal long-term effects on vision,” says Dr. Brad Holmberg, veterinary ophthalmologist at the Animal Eye Center of New Jersey and Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.
That said, it’s important to seek vet help early for quick treatment.
Glaucoma
This condition is more common in dogs, but cats can also develop glaucoma. This condition involves a buildup of fluid in the eye. It causes painful pressure and can lead to blindness.
Signs of glaucoma in cats include:
- Eye cloudiness
- Dilated pupils
- Eye redness
- Bulging eyes
If your cat has any symptoms of glaucoma, you’ll want to take them to the vet right away, Dr. Holmberg says. Treatment can sometimes save their vision and, more importantly, improve their comfort.
Retinal Atrophy
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a genetic disease that causes a cat’s retinas to slowly thin over time. Some breeds, like Abyssinians, are more prone to PRA than others.
Affected cats may have dilated pupils or trouble navigating the house as their sight declines.
Experts have yet to find a cure for PRA, although Dr. Holmberg says gene therapy may be an option in the future. Even so, cats with the disease can continue to live happy lives as full-time indoor cats.
PRA isn’t painful and doesn’t affect any other part of the body, Dr. Holmberg says. “Many cats adapt to vision loss over time and lead quite normal lives.”
Cherry Eye
Cats have a third eyelid near the inner corner of their eyes. You usually can’t see it. But Haws syndrome, also called “cherry eye,” can make the third eyelid protrude.
This condition may not require treatment since it isn’t painful and doesn’t directly harm your cat’s sight. It often goes away on its own. That said, it’s still important to consult a vet. They can make sure your cat doesn’t have a more serious health concern.
Horner’s Syndrome
Neurological disorders like Horner’s syndrome can damage a cat’s nerves. This can affect muscle control of the eyes. Affected cats may have constricted pupils, cherry eye, and upper eyelid drooping. Most symptoms only affect one side of the face.
Horner’s syndrome sometimes resolves on its own, so treatment isn’t always necessary. That said, it may develop due to an underlying cause that needs veterinary care, like a tumor or ear infection.
Cataracts
Cats with eyes that seem fogged over may have cataracts. Cats with cataracts have cloudy eyes, and this cloudiness can obscure your cat’s sight. Cataracts are usually caused by eye inflammation.
Some breeds, like Persians and Himalayans, may be more likely to develop cataracts. They’re also more common in older cats.
Left untreated, cataracts can lead to partial or complete blindness. Some cats can benefit from surgery, although Dr. Holmberg says not every kitty needs it.
“Age-related cataracts rarely become significant enough to require surgical intervention,” he explains. “These cats tend to navigate and adapt appropriately.”
Entropion
Entropion is a condition that makes your cat’s eyelids roll inward. It can cause painful friction between the eyelashes and the eye surface. Affected cats may experience:
- Squinting
- Redness
- Eyelid spasms
- Skin sagging around the eyes
“This is usually seen in older cats or cats with prominent cheekbones, like Maine Coons,” says Anthony Alario, a veterinary ophthalmologist at New England Veterinary Opthalmology and Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.
Flat-faced breeds, like Persians, are also prone to entropion.
Dr. Alario says many cats respond well to surgery. Some cats may also benefit from less invasive treatments, like medicated eyedrops.
Infections
Cats can get eye infections from pathogens like viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. These infectious agents can cause inflammation that leads to other conditions, like pink eye or ulceration.
The severity and outlook for an eye infection depend on the underlying cause. Cats often respond well to antibiotics, antifungals, or other treatments. It’s essential to take your cat to the vet as soon as possible if you notice signs of infection, like:
- Red or watery eyes
- Swelling
- Squinting
- Eye discharge
Retinal detachment
Some medical conditions may cause your cat’s retinas to detach completely. Cats with detached retinas may have dilated pupils or show signs of vision loss. Our experts say retinal detachment in cats most commonly happens with high blood pressure, which usually occurs alongside kidney disease or hyperthyroidism.
“Approximately 50% of cats who have a retinal detachment due to high blood pressure will reattach their retina and have some vision return following control of the blood pressure,” Dr. Holmberg says.
Early vet intervention can improve your cat’s chances of regaining their vision.
Uveitis
Uveitis causes inflammation inside your cat’s eyes. Left untreated, it can cause pain and lead to other eye conditions, including cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal degeneration or detachment. It can also cause permanent blindness.
Signs of uveitis include:
- Changes in pupil size
- Cloudiness
- Redness
- Excessive tearing or discharge
- Squinting
Dr. Holmberg says most cases of uveitis don’t have a clear underlying cause, but other cases may develop due to infections or cancer.
If your vet can identify the cause, treatments like anti-inflammatory eyedrops or medications may help. Your vet may recommend eye removal surgery as a last option if other treatments don’t work and your cat is already blind or in significant pain.
Injuries and Trauma
Eye injuries can result from play, a catfight, foreign objects in the eye, or chemical exposure. The most common sign of an eye injury is squinting, Dr. Alario says.
Other signs of eye trauma include:
- Redness
- Watering eyes
- Discharge or pus
- Sensitivity to light
Since eye trauma may lead to issues that threaten your cat’s vision, it’s best to make an appointment with a vet immediately. The treatment they recommend will depend on your cat’s specific injury.
How to Maintain Your Cat’s Eye Health
While you can’t always prevent some cat eye problems, you can take steps to protect your cat’s eyes with the following steps.
- Regular vet visits: If your cat is prone to eye conditions, regular vet visits can help you detect and treat these problems early, says Dwight Alleyne, a veterinarian with Better Pet.
- Minimize stress: Dr. Alleyne says that stress can trigger flares in kitties with FHV-1. You can help keep your cat calm by enriching their environment with safe perches and hiding spots or diffusing soothing pheromones.
- Vaccinations: Vaccinating your cat for FHV-1 can help prevent many chronic viral eye conditions. FHV-1 is considered a core vaccine for cats. Kittens usually get this vaccine between the age of 6 and 16 weeks old, but older cats can also benefit.
With vigilance and support from your vet, you can detect cat eye problems early and help keep your cat happy and healthy.
