Eye injuries in cats

Eye injuries in cats can range from minor to severe. Common symptoms are squinting, closing the eye or a red eye. Most eye injuries are considered emergencies.

Eye injuries in cats are a common reason to go to the vet. Any cat can have an eye injured by foreign bodies, fights or other causes of trauma. Eye injuries can lead to permanent scarring or blindness if not treated immediately.

Overview

What are eye injuries in cats?

Eye injuries can result from various causes, including:

Trauma: road traffic accidents, falls
Fights
Foreign bodies, such as grass seeds or sand

Eye injuries can range from wounds around the eye, and scratches to the cornea (the outer surface of the eye) to eye perforation or prolapse of the globe (when the eyeball falls out of the socket).

Eye injuries are considered emergencies. They can be extremely painful and result in blindness if not treated promptly.

Take your cat to the nearest vet practice if they have an eye injury and are in pain.

Symptoms

Symptoms of eye injuries in cats

Squinting or closing the eye
Pawing or rubbing at the face
Redness in the eye or bloodshot eye
Eye that bulges out of its socket
Eye discharge
Cloudy eye
Swollen eye
Presence of blood around the eye

Risk

Cats at higher risk of having an eye injury

Any cat is at risk of getting an injury to the eye, but cats with outdoor access are more likely to be exposed to injuries.

If the injury on the eye is not identified and treated, your cat will be at risk of developing further eye problems such as:

Diagnosis

How is an eye injury diagnosed in cats?

In addition to the symptoms your cat might present, the vet will need to use other tests to help identify the possible cause:

Visual examination
Dye test
Tear production test
Test the pressure inside the eye

Depending on your cat’s temperament and the level of pain, your vet may need to sedate them to check their eye further.

Vet treatment

Vet treatment for eye injuries in cats

The course of the treatment depends on the severity of the injury.

Pain medication: given by mouth or by eye drops
Antibiotics: eye ointment, eye drops or tablets by mouth
Buster collar: to prevent further injury to the eye
Blood serum: the liquid portion of blood applied to the eye to promote healing

Procedures

Debridement and keratotomy: procedures that encourage eye ulcers to heal.
Eye enucleation: surgery to remove the eye completely.
Referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist can be necessary for advanced surgical management options.

Home treatment

How to look after your cat with an eye injury

Follow your vet’s recommendations thoroughly:

Do not remove the buster collar.
- Use a rigid collar at all times.
- Fabric or inflatable ones are not suitable for eye protection.
Do not allow activity and rough play.
Keep them indoors.
Give time between topical eye medication to allow absorption.
- 5 min between each medication is usually recommended.
- Some products require more time, talk to a vet if you are unsure.
- Wrap your cat in a towel to secure them if you need help applying eye drops.
Monitor your cat’s signs closely.

Prevention

Preventing eye injuries in cats

Eye injuries usually happen when your cat is out and about or has disputes with other animals. Be vigilant of any signs of weepy eyes, squinting or pawing at the face if your cat has been outside.

Neutering your cat should make them less likely to get into fights.

Using a high-vis collar may help them be seen if out at night.

When to worry