Just like humans, cats can occasionally experience problems with their eyes. And because you want to keep your kitty as healthy as possible, watching out for vision problems is just another part of cat ownership. Luckily, you will usually be able to spot the common signs of eye conditions very quickly, within moments of examining your cat.
Specifically, just be on the lookout for symptoms such as these, any time your cat hops up into your lap for a cuddle:
- Excessive “gunk” in the eyes, which might be yellow, green, or white
- Extra tears in the eyes, or they seem “runny”
- Your cat seems to be sensitive to light
- Redness or a pink tint to the eyes
- Swelling around the eyes
- Pawing at the eyes or excessive blinking
- The “third eyelid” is visible for more than a blink
- A milky or cloudy appearance to the eyes
- Behavioral changes, such as withdrawing from you or crankiness (this can signal a variety of health problems, but if it occurs along with other obvious eye symptoms, we can be almost certain of the cause)
We urge you not to attempt to diagnose your cat’s eye issues yourself. This blog is only intended to point you toward some possible signs of a problem with your cat’s eyes. If you do notice something concerning, call us to schedule an appointment right away. Common issues that can impact a cat’s eyes include:
- Infections (bacterial, viral, or fungal)
- Injuries (scratches from other cats are common)
- Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
- Glaucoma
- Keratitis
- Corneal inflammation
- Uveitis (inflammation of the uvea)
Treatment could range from simple antibiotics to necessary surgical intervention, so again, we urge you not to take chances with your kitty’s eyesight. Call us as soon as you notice a concern, so that we can take swift action to protect your cat’s eyes.