Common Causes of Eye Problems in Cats

The essence of your pet may be seen in their eyes. Therefore, maintaining their clarity, brightness, and health must be a top focus. Pet owners must be aware of the warning signs since allergies, scrapes, and infections may affect a pet’s eyes just as they do our own.

Eye infections may hurt, irritate, and even spread to other cats. While these eye infections have a variety of origins, the symptoms are often similar. Redness around the eye, watery eyes, discharge, and potentially swelling are signs that your cat may have an eye infection.

It can be challenging to distinguish between many eye issues that cats may experience, some of which may be severe medical crises. Speak with a veterinarian about the condition of your cat’s eyes.

Feline Eye Problems

The cause of your cat’s eye infection will play a significant role in treating it. Your veterinarian may often advise using an antibiotic cream or drop to treat the illness and reduce symptoms.

Infections

Cats frequently develop eye infections, which can be brought on by bacteria, fungi, viruses, or even parasites. Sneezing and nasal discharge may occasionally, but not always, accompany the signs of an eye infection. The underlying reason determines the course of treatment.

Mild viral infections frequently get well with symptomatic treatment, which includes resting, keeping the eyes and nose clean, and promoting healthy eating and water. Veterinarians may recommend topical eye ointments or systemic drugs to help the body eliminate the particular bacterium causing the illness in more severe circumstances.

Corneal Ulcers

The cornea is the transparent tissue that lets light flow through the eye’s surface. Open sores on the cornea, known as “corneal ulcers,” can be brought on by accidents, infections, insufficient tear production, or structural abnormalities of the eye. 

The area of the cornea damaged by an ulcer in a cat may seem foggy. Eye discomfort, squinting, redness, and occasional discharge are other symptoms. Consult an animal eye vet for additional information.

Trauma

Another very typical reason for cat eye issues is trauma. When cats interact with other cats outside, they frequently fight, resulting in scratches, punctures, or lacerations to the eye’s surface. Other reasons cats sustain eye injuries include getting foreign objects beneath their eyelids, being attacked by predators, falling, and being hit by a car.

Allergies

Cats are less likely than people to get itchy, watery eyes due to allergies. On the other side, if something uncomfortable gets into a cat’s eyes, such as dust, potent scents, tobacco smoke, etc., it’s common for redness, drainage, and pain to appear. Look up “Emergency vet in Apple Valley” for the best results.

Glaucoma

Inside the eyeball, fluid is continuously created and expelled. Glaucoma develops due to increased ocular pressure brought on by obstructed fluid outflow. Glaucoma can be brought on by various factors, including anatomical anomalies inside the eye, inflammation, tumors, trauma, and aberrant lens shift. Visit this link for more details.

Cataracts

The lens, which is situated in the center of the eye and is typically straightforward, can occasionally acquire a clouded cataract on all or a portion of it. Depending on their severity, cataracts prevent light from reaching the back of the eye, impairing vision or even causing blindness.

Cataract surgery is an option when a cat’s vision is seriously impaired. If this is not possible, it’s crucial to understand that as long as cats are kept indoors, they often adjust exceptionally well to have reduced vision.