6 Causes Of Eye Problems In Cats
There are numerous eye problems in cats, some of which are similar to those that affect dogs’ eyes. In both cats and dogs, eye problems can be considered a medical emergency : any tearing, change in appearance or excessive blinking requires immediate attention from the veterinarian.
It is common for cats with eye and facial pain to have a decreased appetite. Thus, it is important to be aware of any changes in eating habits.
Check your cat’s eyes frequently to see how normal they are. That way, you can see that something has changed when there’s a problem.
1. Conjunctivitis, the most common eye problem in cats
This is the most common eye problem in cats. It consists of an inflammatory process in the membrane that covers the inside of the eyelids and part of the eye. This inflammation often involves tearing or discharge from one or both eyes.
Viral herpes infection is a common cause of conjunctivitis in cats. Other causes include environmental allergens, irritants and bacterial infections.
Persian and Himalayan cats have a facial structure that can block tears, resulting in watery eyes. In these breeds, it is interesting to wash or use appropriate medications to prevent conjunctivitis.
2. Corneal ulcers
This problem is particularly common in kittens that live outdoors. In general, the ulcers arise due to damage to the cornea. It is possible to detect this type of damage if you see the cat squinting or showing discharge, scratches in the eyes, or redness and swelling around the eye.
Corneal ulcers can cause corneal sequestration, a dark, discolored spot that can be seen in the eye. This happens when the cornea dies.
3. Uveitis
This is an inflammation of the vascular portions within the eye. Although the cause of uveitis is not known, it is believed that systemic inflammation processes or severe corneal ulcers can progress to uveitis.
Signs include a change in the color or size of the iris or pupil, redness of the eyelids, sensitivity to light, pain in the eyes, or loss of vision.
4. Glaucoma
It is very common among eye problems in cats. This condition is due to increased fluid pressure in the eye, which occurs due to poor drainage of the aqueous humor.
In this scenario, the accumulated fluid puts pressure on the optic nerve, which carries visual information from the eye to the brain. When the increase in pressure is severe, the optic nerve is damaged, and this can lead to blindness.
5. Blindness
There are several causes for blindness. In case of retinal damage, vision loss can be partial or complete. Keep in mind that this condition can be a slow process; therefore, early diagnosis can be valuable.
It is important to know that damage to the retina can be caused by high blood pressure, which causes diseases such as hyperthyroidism, diabetes, and kidney disease.
For this reason, going to the veterinarian for routine blood pressure measurements in older cats is an important part of preventing eye damage.
6. Other Causes of Eye Problems in Cats
Many feline eye problems are often the result of other illnesses, which can complicate management and treatment.
Secondary eye problems can be caused by viral diseases such as herpes, feline leukemia, feline immunodeficiency or feline infectious peritonitis, as well as Cryptococci infection .
In summary, as with most illnesses, taking your kitten to the vet for routine checkups offers the best opportunity for early diagnosis of conditions that can cause eye problems in cats.
