What are common eye problems for cats?

What’s going on with my cats eyes?

Blocked tear ducts, an overproduction of tears, allergies, viral conjunctivitis, and more can be behind your cat’s abnormal tearing. Uveitis. An inflammation of the internal structures of the eye, trauma, cancer, immune problems or infections can cause the serious, often painful inflammation of uveitis.

Why does my cat’s eyes look weird?

Certain diseases, including trouble in a cat’s nervous system, can cause the pupils to be noticeably different sizes. A cloudy, milky, or filmy look to the pupils might be a sign of cataracts, viral ulcers or other vision problems. Occasionally, a cat will be “odd-eyed”; each eye is a different color.

Can cats have eye sight problems?

“We see cats that are either blind or going blind several times a week,” says Thomas Kern, DVM, associate professor of ophthalmology at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. “Most of these animals have eye disease as a primary disorder—they have no other health problems.

What does a blind cat’s eye look like?

In a blind cat the pupils are usually very large and do not contract down to the normal slits in bright light. If you have noticed a recent colour change in one or both of your cat’s eyes, you should take your cat to your vet to have an eye examination.

How can I tell if my cat has eye problems?

Signs and symptoms: Rubbing and squinting are common signs that your cat might have an eye infection. Other symptoms include redness and swelling, eye discharge, as well as sneezing and nasal discharge.

What does a cloudy eye in a cat mean?

Cats typically develop cataracts due to inflammation, systemic disease, or trauma to the lens rather than old age. Old age causes a thickening of the lens called nuclear sclerosis, but cataracts are a different problem. Cataracts are characterized by cloudy eye and partial to full vision loss.

What are the symptoms of a cat going blind?

How to tell if a cat is blind

Cloudy eyes.
Uneven or very wide pupils.
Disorientation and bumping into things, especially in low light.
Walking slowly/cautiously with their legs wider apart than usual.
Reluctance to jump.
Hiding away and becoming nervous.
Reluctance to go out at night.
Changes in their behaviour.

When should I take my cat to the vet for eye discharge?

Other potential causes worth mentioning include feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), allergies, a foreign object lodged in the eye, or third eyelid protrusions. If you notice your cat has any issues with their eyes including discharge or discolouration, be sure to visit your vet and have them checked out.

Why does my cat have Goopy eyes?

The clear goopy discharge from his eyes could signify dehydration, lack of grooming by your cat or an eye infection. Older cats that lose their appetite and weight often have some sort of organ disease, such as kidney, heart or liver disease.

What are signs of blindness in cats?

Blindness can occur suddenly in your cat, and the cat can show different signs such as bumping into furniture and dilated pupils that remain the same even in the light.

What are common eye infections for cats?

Chlamydiosis, which is a bacterial infection, is one of the most common types of eye infections that cats get. Chlamydiosis will cause the eyes to become red, inflamed, swollen and glossy. Other symptoms of this condition include high fever, nasal discharge and lethargy.

What do eye infections look like in cats?

Cat parents may notice a variety of symptoms indicating an eye infection, including: The whites of the eye may turn red. Ocular discharge may be present, running the gamut from clear, to yellow or even green. The third eyelid may be protruding and covering part of the irritated eye. Your cat may have other clinical signs common with upper respiratory infections, such as sneezing or nasal discharge.