Cat Eye Problems

Cat eye problems prove to be a very painful condition for your pet. A cat's eye is very similar to the human eye structure, though it is different from the human eye in many aspects. A cat can see clearly in just a sixth of the light that humans need. The cat eye's nictitating membrane helps to protect the eyes and can alter the range of vision very effectively.

Cat Eye Problems

Cats have beautiful eyes that can be affected by a number of cat eye problems. The most common signs of cat eye diseases are:

• Red inner eyelids
• Cat eye's nictitating membrane becomes visible across the eye
• Half closed eye
• Cat with cloudy eye
• Excessive cat eye discharge
• Tear stains around eye

Cat Eye Diseases

There are many cat eye infections that can be caused by various agents like viruses, bacteria and even fungus. Let us see some of the cat eye diseases caused by these infectious agents.

Bacterial Cat Eye Infections
The most common feline eye problem is cat conjunctivitis caused by bacteria. Chlamydiosis causes cat conjunctivitis. The symptoms of bacterial cat conjunctivitis are fever, rhinitis, nasal discharge and red eye.

Viral Cat Eye Infections
Viruses can cause many cat eye problems that include:

• Feline Herpes virus 1: This is one of the leading causes of viral cat conjunctivitis. It can spread from one infected cat to another. In this condition the cat may suffer from cat eyelid problems like corneal symblepharon, inflammation of the cornea, ulcer on the cornea, etc.
• Feline Infectious Peritonitis: This cat eye problem is caused by coronavirus and is a lethal infection. A cat infected with coronavirus can survive only a few months.
• Feline Panleukopenia: This is a very contagious condition that can be controlled by vaccinations. This is a cat eye infection of the retina that may lead to retinal dysplasia and lesions in the eye.
• Feline Immunodeficiency Virus: This cat infection is spread by cat bites. This cat eye infections go unnoticed for a long time and a cat with this virus can live for only 2 years.

Fungal Cat Eye Infections
The most common cat eye problem is caused by Cryptococcosis. This fungal infection can cause cat eye discharge, pupils that are insensitive to light, peripheral blindness, dilated eyes and inflamed retina.

Cat Eye Problems and Diseases

The above mentioned cat eye problems were some of the common conditions associated with feline eyes. There are plenty of cat eye diseases and conditions that can lead to blindness in cats. These conditions include:

• Progressive Retinal Atrophy: The retina of the eye degenerates over time and the cat goes completely blind.
• Cataracts: Cat with cloudy eyes is the first sign of cataracts in cats. The lens turn opaque and if untreated may lead to blindness.
• Glaucoma: This is a cat eye problem where too much fluid is built up in the eye and exerts pressure on the retina. This causes damage to the cells, leading to pain and gradual loss of vision.

These are some of the common cat eye problems that a cat may suffer. In order to minimize the risk of cat eye infections, make sure you vaccinate your cat regularly. Make sure you clean any cat eye discharge to avoid spread of infections. I hope this article has helped you understand the various cat eye diseases your pussy may encounter.