Eye Defects in Cats
Eye Defects in Cats - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost
What are Eye Defects?
If you ever suspect anything wrong with your cat’s eyes, you should take pet to your veterinarian for care. Even if your cat was born with deformities or abnormalities, your veterinarian might be able to help prevent or delay the onset of blindness in your cat. 
Discovering that your cat was born with an eye problem can be discouraging and cause you to wonder what will happen to your cat’s vision. Congenital defects of the eye can have a number of causes, symptoms, and implications. Cats can adapt to many types of eye conditions and lead active lives, while others conditions may require ongoing care and lead to complications and even blindness.
Eye Defects Average Cost
From 323 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,000
Average Cost
$500
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Symptoms of Eye Defects in Cats
Your cat won’t be able to tell you when they are in pain or uncomfortable, so it’s important to regularly monitor them for signs of a potential problem. You will be able to identify some eye defects immediately at birth, but with some you will only notice symptoms as they get older. They might include: 
  • Obvious deformity 
  • Cataracts or cloudy eye lens 
  • Dilated pupil 
  • Noticeably enlarged eyeball
  • Subtle or noticeable behavior changes 
  • Vision impairment 
  • Night blindness 
  • Darkening or inflammation of the cornea 
Types
Cat’s eyes are made up of many different parts, and each one can be defective in one way or another. These are some of the types of problems that could occur:
  • Eyelid and exterior eye deformities 
  • Lens and cornea defects 
  • Glaucoma 
  • Retina and optic nerve defects
Causes of Eye Defects in Cats
Any breed of cat can be born with hereditary or congenital eye defects. However, the most common breeds that experience these types of issues are the Persian, Burmese, Siamese, and Abyssinian. There are many other reasons why cats might have these defects, including: 
  • Genetic defect or abnormality 
  • Trauma before birth 
  • Damage in the womb 
  • Viral infection such as feline distemper in the mother during pregnancy
Diagnosis of Eye Defects in Cats
If your cat has problems in the eyes, it’s very important to see your veterinarian to get a proper diagnosis. You might consider keeping a journal over a period of time in order to track the progress of the condition.
When you take your cat to the clinic, the doctor will begin to examine your cat and might ask questions like: 
  • Are your cat’s vaccinations current? 
  • Are you aware if your cat was poked or hit in the eye with anything? 
  • When did you first notice the problem?
  • Did your cat’s mother have any illnesses or problems during pregnancy? 
  • Does your cat have a history of this type of problem?
During the examination, the doctor will check the exterior of the eye first to check for obvious abnormalities like irregular shape, swelling, or discharge. Then, they will shine a light with a magnifier into the front of the eye to check pupil reflexes and determine if other tests should be taken. It might be necessary to sedate your cat for some tests.
Some of the tests the doctor might perform include: 
  • The Schirmer tear test to see if the eye tears properly
  • Fluorescein stain drops that will detect scratches or other abnormalities to the cornea
  • Use of the tonometer to test eye pressure for glaucoma
  • A swab culture to check for bacteria or fungus that might be present
  • Dilation of the pupil for examination of the inner eye
  • Blood tests to test for other possible underlying health issues
Treatment of Eye Defects in Cats
The treatment for your cat’s ailment will depend on what kind of eye defect your veterinarian diagnoses.
Eyelid Abnormalities 
Treatment of eyelid defects can sometimes depend on the severity of the problem. Some cases only need a few antibiotics and eye therapies or supportive care in order to heal and strengthen the eye. Yet, in the case of a coloboma, or hole, that leaves your cat’s eyes exposed to germs and foreign objects, it could require extensive surgery to repair. 
Glaucoma
Unfortunately, glaucoma is incurable, but your veterinarian might prescribe steroids and other medications that can help alleviate some of the symptoms and possibly slow the progression. Sometimes it may be necessary to have surgery to remove the affected eye. 
Retinal and Optic Nerve Defects 
If your cat’s eye defect affects the retina or the optic nerve, there is very little that your veterinarian can do to treat it. Sometimes, the progression of the disease can be slowed, but it’s best to prepare to help your cat stay comfortable or accommodate their defect or disability throughout the extent of their life. 
Corneal Sequestration
Treatment for corneal sequestration, or degenerated corneal tissue, involves removing the affected cornea surface and, sometimes, replacing it with conjunctival tissue grafts. 
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Recovery of Eye Defects in Cats
When your veterinarian prescribes medications of any kind, it’s important to give them to your cat as prescribed, and you might continue to keep a journal in order to track the progress of treatment. If your cat has had surgery, keep them comfortable, watch for signs of complications, and call the clinic if there are any issues and schedule a follow-up appointment. 
Unfortunately, there are some defects that simply cannot be corrected, and the best that you can do for your cat is to help train them how to survive with their abnormality as much as possible. 
Eye Defects Average Cost
From 323 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,000
Average Cost
$500
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Eye Defects Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
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Long haired
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Willow
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3 Weeks
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Cant See And Isnt Eating
I've found a kitten abandoned by mother and he seems to be missing one eye and the other eye is there but matted . It's a young kitten not sure of age. Not sure what to do but definitely want to keep him her. Any advise
May 16, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Kittens can develop very serious eye infections that can cause permanent damage to the eyes. It would be best to have Willow seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible, as they can look at her eyes, determine what might be going on, and get any treatment that she may need. I hope that she is okay.
May 16, 2018
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mixed
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Twix
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4 Weeks
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Grey Blue In Colour. Cloudy
I've got a 4 week old kitten his eyes are cloudy all over and is a grey blue colour. He doesn't seem to see at all. But plays with mum. His eyes were open the day he was born. What do you think is wrong thanks.
April 17, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Without seeing Twix, I can't comment on what might be going on, but it is very unusual for kittens to be born with their eyes open. he may have a congenital issue, a viral disease, or a treatable condition. A veterinarian will be able to examine him, assess what might be going on, and provide any possible treatment.
April 18, 2018
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Russian Blue
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Zeus
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8 Years
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0 found this helpful

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My pet has the following symptoms:
Eye Clouding
His eyes used to be like normal cat eyes but he's looked like this for a few months. They don't change they are just stuck. Don't get me wrong he's still a cutie but I would like to know why they are like this?
April 15, 2018
0 Recommendations
There are various different causes and types for cloudy eyes and without an examination I cannot give you a specific cause; possible causes may include cataracts (not so common), lenticular sclerosis (more common), corneal disorders among other causes. You should have your Veterinarian take a look at Zeus’s eyes and determine a cause. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
April 16, 2018
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dsh
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Erythromycin cream
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7 week
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I have a 7 week old kitten that has in eyelid Cola bus deformity. The that asked me to see a specialist which is $330 just for the exam. I don't want to spend $330 to find out only that the surgery is way outside my capability to pay. Do you have any idea how much this sort of surgety would cost?
Nov. 5, 2017
0 Recommendations
The cost of surgery would be dependent on many different factors, it would be worth contacting the Specialist Centre to ask for a ballpark figure for surgery. Your location and the severity will determine the overall cost and postoperative care will also add to the overall cost. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Nov. 5, 2017
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Tuxedo
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Princess
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10 Months
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Brown Cloudyness Over Bottom Of Eye
Brown Cloudyness And Missing Pupil
My cat princess has a brown cloudyness over the bottom portion of her eye and half of the bottom of her pupil seems to be gone, I haven’t noticed this until today and I’m very scared for her safety I plan on calling a vet Tomorrow but does anyone have an idea of what could be the problem?
Eye Defects Average Cost
From 323 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,000
Average Cost
$500
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