Five Most Common Cat Eye Problems

Monitor your pet for the five most common cat eye problems. Many of these ailments respond to treatment if caught early.

Cataracts

Cataracts occur in elderly cats and in some diabetic cats. These cat eye problems occur when a cloudy film covers the eye lens. Vision impairment is the outcome, and it gradually worsens until the cat is blind. Cataract surgery is the only available treatment.

Feline Conjunctivitis

Feline conjunctivitis is also known as "pink eye." Conjunctivitis is a cat eye infection where the pink membrane of the inner eyelid meets the eye white. A cat with pink eye will have a very watery eye and tends to squint. Antibacterial eye drops clear up this infection.

Feline Uveitis

Feline Uveitis occurs when a feline eye uveal tract (the colored part of the eye surrounding the pupil) becomes inflamed. When this happens, the iris appears red and inflamed and cloudiness covers the pupil. Sixty percent of cats develop this condition and anti-inflammatory eye drops or oral medications aid the healing process.

Glaucoma

With glaucoma, a cat's eye fluid increase until pressure on the retina damages cells. Glaucoma is painful and leads to blindness. Current treatments must be done in the early stages and include oral medications, eye drops and eye surgery.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

With PRA, the retinal tissue breaks down until the cat suffers from permanent blindness. The cat eye problems are common in pure breds like Abyssinians, but does affect mixed breeds too. There is no cure for PRA.

 

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