Overview
Your cat’s eye(s) can become inflamed for a variety of reasons, ranging from conditions that are easy to fix to some that are very serious.
Some of the most common are:
- Conjunctivitis: the mucus membranes of the eye become inflamed and itchy (This is the most common eye problem among our four-legged friends.)
- Glaucoma: a much more serious condition caused by increased pressure within the eye itself
- Allergies: as with us, our pets can suffer from allergy-induced itchy, watery eyes
- Foreign body: a foreign object in the eye, even eyelashes, can cause the eye to be irritated
- Scratched cornea: a scratch on the eye can develop into a more serious condition, such as an ulcer
- Entropion: when the eyelashes are turned inward instead of outward, causing the eye to tear, become irritated, and
ultimately infected, if not treated
There are many lesser common eye conditions that can cause eye inflammation. Your veterinarian will work to identify what is troubling your teary-eyed friend.
Symptoms
The most common sign that your cat’s eyes are irritated is redness. Additionally, he may blink or squint excessively, hold his eye closed, rub or paw at his eye, and his eye might tear a lot.
There may also be some mucus or pus-like discharge around your cat’s eye(s).
Diagnosis/Treatment
If you think your pet’s eyes are irritated, you should contact your veterinarian for advice. Many of the most common situations need medical attention in order to get better. Your veterinarian will most likely perform a complete ophthalmic examination to determine the cause of the inflammation. In more serious situations, they may send you to a cat eye expert, also referred to as a veterinary ophthalmologist.
Your veterinarian will advise you regarding the best way to care for your pet’s eye(s). One of the most common treatments is to apply medicated drops or ointment to the affected eye. Having your feline compadre sit still while you apply the medication can be extremely challenging. For help with this, watch an expert apply eye drops to a cat.
Prevention
Because there are so many different causes of eye inflammation, there is no single prevention that works for every situation. To help your cat reduce the risk of eye problems, check his eyes daily for any obvious signs of irritation, such as redness or tearing.
If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian – they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.