House Cat Eye Problems

Knowing how to identify an eye issue is important for owners because eye problems in house cats need to be identified early to prevent permanent vision changes or damage to the eyes.

  1. Identification

    • Some cases of vision loss may be obvious. Your cat may be walking into walls, running into corners or she may not partake in her usual activities such as playing with toys, bird-watching or jumping onto the cat tree.

    Causes

    • Some common causes of feline eye issues include pink eye (conjunctivitis), progressive retinal atrophy, glaucoma, dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca), bacterial infections and cancer.

    Clinical Signs

    • Signs of an eye health issue may include redness, swelling, bloodshot eyes, dilated pupils, ocular discharge, high blood pressure or visible changes of the cornea itself, such as cloudiness.

    Diagnosis

    • At the vet's office, the affected cat may undergo several tests including a physical examination, various eye tests, blood tests, an MRI or a radiograph, and in some cases a neurological exam.

    Treatment

    • Treatment will vary based on what is affecting the health of the feline eye. Some treatments include antibiotics, surgery, steroids or artificial tears. In some cases, such as with progressive retinal atrophy, there may not be any treatment options available; blindness will result.