Bulging eyes in cats is considered an emergency. If you notice your cat’s eyes are bulging or swelling or have changed position, contact your vet immediately.

Bulging eyes occur when one or both eyeballs appear enlarged, or when normal-sized eyes protrude abnormally from the socket. This is a veterinary emergency, as some causes can rapidly lead to vision loss if not treated promptly.

Bulging may affect one or both eyes, sometimes unevenly. The altered appearance may result from changes in the size or position of the affected eye(s). Common causes include trauma or serious eye conditions, such as glaucoma or retrobulbar disease (problems behind the eye). A prompt veterinary examination is essential to identify the cause and to prevent pain or permanent vision loss.

What to do if your cat has bulging eyes

• Cover the eye with a wet and clean cloth for protection. 

• Take your cat immediately to a vet.

Why does your cat have bulging eyes

There are multiple reasons why one or both eyes may appear to bulge.

• Trauma to the globe (eyeball) or surrounding structures causing the eye to move out of the orbit (eye socket)

• Bleeding in the eye socket, behind the eye (retrobulbar), pushing the eye forward

• Retrobulbar abscess: An abscess behind the eye

• Glaucoma: Increase in pressure inside the eye 

• Tumour: Affecting tissues inside or behind the eye

When to call a vet if your cat has bulging eyes

Call a vet if your cat shows any of the following signs:

• Swollen eye

• Squinting

• Inability to blink

• Redness of the eye

• Reluctance to open the affected eye or pawing at the face

• Clear evidence of pain - subdued, head pressing, whining

• Sudden inability to see

• Struggling to eat or drink

Call us at Joii if:

• Your cat’s eyes look different

• You have a blind cat and need help adjusting to their environment

• If you need help applying or giving medication

How to prevent bulging eyes in your cats

• Keep your cat indoors or supervise outdoor time to avoid trauma from fights, falls, or accidents.

• Seek veterinary care at the first sign of redness, discharge, or squinting to prevent complications.

• Regular vet check-ups can catch issues like high blood pressure or thyroid disease that may affect the eyes.

What to look out for

Common symptoms of eye problems often include:

• Pawing or rubbing at the face

• A very red-looking eye

• Ruptured or damaged eye (hole, leakage, or deflated appearance)

• Inability to fully close the eyelid

• Pain when opening the mouth

• Cloudiness of the eye

• Dilated pupil

• Reduced or impaired vision

How to help at home

After your vet has examined your cat, follow their advice closely. Key measures include:

• Keep the buster collar on at all times to prevent further injury.

• Ensure your cat can eat and drink normally.

• Monitor for any eye discharge.

• Watch for difficulty or inability to fully blink.

Vet treatment for bulging eyes in cats

Treatment will depend on the underlying cause.

• Medication to be taken by mouth and/or as eye drops: anti-inflammatory medicines, antibiotics, medication to reduce pressure inside the eye, and painkillers.

• Surgery: For example, draining pus from behind the eye, replacing a prolapsed eyeball (trauma), removing a blind and painful eye, removing a tumour or foreign body.

• Cancer treatments: where indicated.

Are some cats more at risk of having bulging eyes?

Any cat may develop bulging eyes, but some groups have a higher risk potential.

• Outdoor roaming cats: more vulnerable to traumatic injuries in general

• Young unneutered males: greatest risk for road traffic collision trauma 

• Flat-faced (brachycephalic) cats, such as Persians and Exotic Shorthairs, are prone to eye problems — including bulging eyes, ulcers, and inflammation: their shallow sockets leave the eyes more exposed and vulnerable to trauma.