Cat Eye Problems: Most Common Eye Issues in Cats

Cat eye problems are not something pet parents should ignore. If they’re left untreated, cat eye issues can lead to blindness.  

If you notice your cat squinting, pawing at their eye, or experiencing eye discharge, it’s important to contact a veterinarian for a checkup.  

Early detection and treatment are essential in protecting your cat’s vision and overall health. 

Signs of Cat Eye Problems

Cats generally experience concerning symptoms when they are having an eye problem. Pet parents should watch for the following signs: 

• Squinting  

• Pawing at the eye 

• Eye discharge 

• Visible third eyelid  

• Eye redness  

• Eye cloudiness  

• Swelling of conjunctiva (thin, clear membrane that proctects the eye) 

• Sensitivity to light 

Common Cat Eye Problems

There are several conditions that can cause cat eye problems, but some are more common than others.  

Let’s look at some of the most common cat eye issues. 

Eye Infections  

The most common eye infections in cats tend to be viral infections and are often brought on by stress or disease.  

Common symptoms that cats may experience with a viral eye infection include thin, clear discharge from the eye, visible third eyelid, and squinting.  

Contact your veterinarian if your cat has symptoms of an eye infection. 

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) 

Conjunctivitis in cats is more of a symptom than a disease—it occurs when the tissues surrounding the eye become inflamed and irritated. A wide variety of conditions can cause pink eye in cats. 

Cats with conjunctivitis should be seen by a veterinarian within 24 hours. 

Corneal Ulcers 

Corneal ulcers in cats are injuries to the clear surface of a feline’s eye (scratches on the cornea).  

Cats with ulcers will often squint, seem uncomfortable when the lighting is too bright, and have a red/inflamed eye, and they will sometimes have drainage from their eye. 

Corneal ulcers can become severe if they become infected, so have your cat examined immediately if you suspect they have a corneal ulcer. 

Retinal Issues 

Retinal issues are highly common in cats and most frequently occur as a result of other health problems that cause high blood pressure, such as hyperthyroidism and kidney disease. 

The most common retinal symptom is when the cat seems to suddenly go blind, and their pupils look dilated.  

If you see this, seek treatment immediately to attempt to save your cat’s vision. If treatment is delayed even a few hours, the resulting blindness is permanent. 

Irritated or Red Eyes 

Red eyes in cats is a symptom rather than a condition; many conditions will present with irritated and red eyes.  

Cats with red or irritated eyes should be seen quickly by a veterinarian. 

Squinting  

Squinting is also a symptom of eye disease. Whenever an eye is painful or inflamed, cats tend to squint. 

 If your cat squints for more than a few hours, schedule an appointment with your vet. 

Glassy Eyes  

Glassy eyes are a sign of excessive tearing, which can occur when a cat’s eye is inflamed or in pain. 

Take your cat to the vet if their eyes are glassy or tearing up. 

Goopy Eyes or Discharge  

A small amount of discharge in the corner of your cat’s eye is normal if it’s a minimal amount. It’s usually brown in color, and only slightly moist or dried.  

Often, this is confused with dried blood. However, there may be a problem if there is a larger amount of discharge in your cat’s eyes and it is thick, creamy, or coming from areas other than the corner.  

This is particularly true if there are other signs of eye disease, such as squinting, inflammation, or pain. 

Cat eye discharge should be examined quickly by a vet—sooner if it comes with any additional symptoms. 

Swollen Eyes or Tear Ducts 

Severe inflammation in the conjunctiva can occasionally block a cat’s tear duct, causing excessive eye tearing.  

If your cat is having a lot of tearing or swelling around the eye, take them to the vet. 

Cloudy Eyes 

Cloudy eyes in cats can be a serious symptom of disease—particularly when the clouding is on the cornea (the outer surface of the eye). 

When the cornea gets injured, such as from a scratch or ulcer, swelling occurs, and you will see a cloudy patch in your cat’s eye. In some cases, the entire cornea may appear cloudy. 

If your cat’s eyes are cloudy, have them examined by a vet immediately. 

Exposure of the Third Eyelid  

The third eyelid is a small gland in the lower corner of a cat’s eye closest to the nose. It’s normally completely hidden from view except when a cat gets sleepy. 

The third eyelid should retract entirely when your cat is fully awake and alert. If it doesn’t—whether it is in one eye or both—your cat may have Horner’s syndrome, which can be a sign of disease. 

If it only happens on occasion or disappears again when your cat is alert, you can probably monitor it at home. If this persists, schedule an appointment with your vet. 

Less Common Cat Eye Problems

There are a few less common cat eye problems, but they can still occur.  

Below, you’ll learn what they are and what you should do if you notice symptoms of these uncommon cat eye issues.  

Cherry Eye  

Fortunately, cherry eye in cats is not as common in felines as it is in some breeds of dogs.  

Cherry eye is the tendency for a small gland in the eye to stick out or move out of its normal position, resulting in a small, inflamed red “cherry” in the corner of the eye nearest the nose. Typically, cherry eye is a cosmetic problem that can be left alone with no negative effects. 

You can usually monitor your cat’s cherry eye at home—but call your vet first to be safe. 

Glaucoma  

Glaucoma in cats is a condition that causes more pressure in the eyes, which can result in vision loss over time. If the pressure is very high, a cat can lose their vision rapidly. 

Fortunately, glaucoma is not a very common cat eye problem, but it is a medical emergency. If you suspect your cat has it, seek veterinary treatment immediately. 

Ectropion  

Ectropion in cats is not a very common cat eye issue. 

This condition is characterized by an outward rolling of a cat’s eyelid. When the eyelid rolls outward, it exposes the inner conjunctiva. This is usually corrected surgically and is not considered urgent. 

This is not a condition that you’re likely to notice as a pet parent, but if you think there is something wrong with your cat’s eye, call your veterinarian.  

Entropion  

Although it sounds similar to ectropion, entropion in cats is the opposite. This condition occurs when the eyelid rolls inward so the hair on the eyelid rubs the eye, causing irritation and ulcers. This can be very painful for your cat. 

If you suspect your cat has entropion, take them to the vet. 

Cataracts  

Cataracts form when the lens of a cat’s eye thickens, creating a marble-like “clouding” inside their eye. This is different from clouding of the cornea, where you can’t even see into the eye. Cataracts are not as common in cats as in dogs. 

Although cataracts in cats can be surgically treated, vets will usually just monitor their progress. Thick cataracts prevent your cat from being able to see, leaving your cat blind. However, because this usually happens slowly over time, most cats adjust to this condition. 

Any cloudiness of the eye should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible to determine the underlying cause. 

Iris Melanoma 

Iris melanoma is a rare but severe condition in cats where the iris (the colored portion of the eye) develops a cancerous growth.  

These masses can potentially spread from the cat’s eye to other areas of the body, such as the brain. 

Take your cat to the vet immediately if you notice any swelling or color changes in the iris. 

Allergies 

Though they are frequently blamed for cat eye problems, allergies are not actually a common cause of disease. Usually, conjunctivitis is caused by other issues, such as viral infections, rather than cat allergies. 

Take your cat to the vet for an exam to assess the true underlying cause of the inflammation. 

Dry Eye 

Also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), dry eye is a cat eye problem that occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough tears. This results in dry eye tissue—especially the cornea. 

When a cat’s cornea becomes too dry, it will sometimes go on to develop severe ulcerations.  

This is much more common in dogs than in cats, and is treatable in both species. 

If you suspect that your cat has dry eye, take them to the vet as soon as possible. 

Growth or Lump on the Eyelid 

Unlike in dogs, lumps and bumps on the eyelids are not a common cat eye problem. These are typically benign and slow growing. 

However, you should still take your cat to the vet within a few days—particularly if the bump grows/changes, causes inflammation in the eye, has any pigment to it, or seems to bother your cat. 

How To Prevent Cat Eye Problems

Some eye problems in cats are not preventable, but pet parents can reduce the risk by ensuring their cats receive regular veterinary wellness care each year to identify potential issues early. 

Keeping cats up to date on vaccinations can protect them against viral infections that can lead to eye problems. 

Reducing exposure to allergens in the home (such as keeping a smoke-free home and using an air purifier) can also prevent flare-ups of eye conditions.