Eye Injuries in Cats
Written By Darlene Stott
Published: 08/26/2016Updated: 09/26/2024
Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS
Eye Injuries in Cats - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost
What are Eye Injuries?
Untreated eye injuries can greatly damage your cat’s eye, even leading to blindness and/or eye removal in severe cases. If your cat is avoiding bright lights, keeping their eye closed, or squinting, it’s likely that the eye is injured. Seek veterinary care immediately if you suspect an eye injury.
Eye injuries can be caused by play, fighting with other cats, a foreign object that has either penetrated or fully punctured the eye, and even projectiles like fireworks or BB guns. 
Youtube Play
Eye Injuries Average Cost
From 532 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,000
Average Cost
$500
Wag Compare logo

Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!

Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.

Get a quote

background
Symptoms of Eye Injuries in Cats
Eye injury symptoms tend to occur rapidly, increasing in intensity as the foreign object remains in the eye or the wound worsens. The following symptoms indicate that your cat’s eye is injured:
Types
  • Penetrating: The wound or foreign object has entered the eye but does not puncture the cornea or sclera (the white of the eye). 
  • Perforating: The wound or foreign object has passed through the cat’s cornea or sclera. These typically are more serious injuries. 
Causes of Eye Injuries in Cats
Cats possess complex vision systems that allow them to hunt at night and see objects clearly from yards away. Cats have also a third “eyelid,” a thick membrane that protects the eye from scratches and debris. Despite this, cats’ eyes are prone to injury. Causes of eye injuries in cats include: 
  • Fights with other animals
  • Scratches from leaves or branches
  • Playing with objects in the home
  • Car accidents 
  • Fireworks or other projectiles
  • Chemical splashes, for example from shampoo or insecticides
Diagnosis of Eye Injuries in Cats
Injuries to the eye constitute a medical emergency. Only a veterinarian can diagnose an eye injury and recommend proper treatment. Even if the foreign object is visible, do not attempt to treat an eye injury at home. Doing so could risk further damage to your cat’s eye.
When you visit your veterinarian, give them an account of what happened, including when you first noticed the injury and what you believe may have caused it. Tell your veterinarian if you feel the injury is getting better or worse. 
During the exam, the vet will first look for the presence of a foreign object. If the object is visible, the diagnosis will be straightforward.
However, if there isn’t a visible cause, your veterinarian may wish to rule out deeper injury, corneal ulcer, or bruising by conducting a full ocular examination. They will use light to check your cat’s pupils, ensuring they are symmetrical and responding properly. The vet may also stain the eye to check for any ulcers and flush the tear duct to see if it is patent.
If external causes are not thought to be responsible for the injury, your veterinarian may wish to examine the internal parts of your cat’s eye.
Treatment of Eye Injuries in Cats
Treatment for your cat’s eye injury will be recommended based on the severity of the injury and which part of the eye is affected. Penetrating injuries usually have a better chance of recovery than perforating injuries, and blunt traumas are more severe than sharp traumas to the eye. 
Penetrating injuries
Typically, if the injury is penetrating and has no opening, your veterinarian will suggest an Elizabethan collar to prevent your cat from further damaging the eye. Antibiotics or eye drops are used to ease inflammation and swelling. Corneal ulcers are often treated with antibiotic ointments. 
Perforating injuries
Surgical repair will be required for perforating injuries, including corneal lacerations and full-thickness wounds. If the foreign object remains in the eye, surgery will be needed to remove it. In most cases, lacerated corneas due to foreign objects can be treated, but a specialist surgeon is usually required.
Vision loss is possible if the injury is deep within the eye. If your cat is struggling with light perception, there may be an injury to the lens or a hemorrhage in the vitreous, the gel-like structure that gives the eye its shape. 
After surgery, your veterinarian will recommend antibiotics and pain relievers as needed. These medications will vary depending on the severity of the wound. 
Petted logo

Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?

Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.

Get a quote

background
Recovery of Eye Injuries in Cats
Following surgery, monitor your cat to ensure the injury is healing properly. Note any changes to the eye, and contact your veterinarian if you believe the wound isn’t healing. If your cat has suffered vision loss due to the injury, you will have to help your pet cope with their new disability. 
Most eye injuries in cats heal completely, allowing the cat to resume their normal activities. Recovery time largely depends on the type of injury and its severity. Be sure to administer all medications that your vet recommends, and remove any potential eye irritants from the cat’s reach.
Eye injuries in cats can be expensive to treat. If you suspect your cat is at risk of developing an eye injury, start searching for pet insurance today. Brought to you by Pet Insurer, Wag! Wellness lets pet parents compare insurance plans from leading companies like PetPlan and Embrace. Find the “pawfect” plan for your pet in just a few clicks!
Eye Injuries Average Cost
From 532 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,000
Average Cost
$500
arrow-up-icon
Top
Eye Injuries Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
dog-breed-icon
House cat
dog-name-icon
dog-age-icon
11 months
thumbs-up-icon

0 found this helpful

thumbs-up-icon

0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Cat Eye Swollen, Cat Sneezes Eye Won'T Open.
What can I use to treat the eye? And how must we treat it?
Sept. 26, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails. It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get treatment for them.
Oct. 18, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
dog-breed-icon
American short Hair Cat
dog-name-icon
dog-age-icon
4 months
thumbs-up-icon

0 found this helpful

thumbs-up-icon

0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Cloudy Eye
Our cat got into our shed this morning. I noticed all the equipment on the floor and assumed she was playing around or found another critter and i thought she must came down with all the misc tools we have. She seems fine and acting normal but her poor eye seems cloudy and has a small blood spec in her same left eye. I don't see a scratch and its not wattery. Does she have a concussion? Will this cause her to be blind?
Aug. 17, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. It would be best to have her seen by a veterinarian, as they will be able to examine her eyes and see what is causing the cloudiness and the blood spots. She may need medications to prevent further damage to her eye, and this may be something that can be resolved easily. I hope it all goes well for her.
Aug. 17, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
dog-breed-icon
domestic short hair cat
dog-name-icon
dog-age-icon
Three Months
thumbs-up-icon

0 found this helpful

thumbs-up-icon

0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Shut Eye
i suddenly discovered my 3 month old kitten had a shut eye. she was ok a hour back. she now is with her right eye closed.
Aug. 5, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. It is common for kittens to have viral infections that can make them squint their eyes or sneeze. If your cat is opening her eye occasionally, and isn't bothering with it or pawing at it, you may be fine to mother to her and see if it gets better. If she continues to hold it closed, or she is pawing at it or seems uncomfortable, then it would be best to have her seen by a veterinarian, as she may need medication. I hope that all goes well for her.
Aug. 5, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
dog-breed-icon
Domestic short hair cat
dog-name-icon
dog-age-icon
3 months
thumbs-up-icon

0 found this helpful

thumbs-up-icon

0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Scratch In Bottom Of Eyelid
My kitten scratched the bottom of her eyelid. Should I let it heal on it’s own, and should I keep cleaning her eye, or leave it alone?
Aug. 4, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. If the scratch is under the eyelid and not on the eye, you should be able to keep it clean and let it heal. It the scratch is on the inside of the eye, it probably needs to be seen by a veterinarian. That may need antibiotic ointment. I hope that all goes well with your kitten.
Aug. 4, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
dog-breed-icon
Tabby Black Cat
dog-name-icon
dog-age-icon
One Year
thumbs-up-icon

1 found this helpful

thumbs-up-icon

1 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Eye Redness
My cat seems to have gotten a small cut in her eye. Or so it may seem. It’s located on the bottom section of her left eye. But around the area that looks to be cut- there is some (very small amount) cloudiness. But not too bad. May just be irritated. I have cat eye drops that were prescribed to another one of my cats because of a eye scratch. But we couldn’t see his cut. We can hers. I’m nervous and I’m these rough times I don’t know if I can afford a vet.
July 27, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
1 Recommendations
Hello, So sorry to hear about your cat. Your cat will need antibiotic drops without steroids in them. If they were prescribed for your other cat's eye with an ulcer, they may be able to help this cat too. If the eye does not start to improve with these drops let your vet look at your cat and make sure that the medication is the best one for this one. I hope your cat starts to feel better soon.
July 27, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
dog-breed-icon
None
dog-name-icon
Rambo
dog-age-icon
8 Months
thumbs-up-icon

0 found this helpful

thumbs-up-icon

0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
White Film On The Eye
Hello, my cat got injured in the eye, his eye had a reddish dot in the middle and a whitish film is covering the eye now. There is no injury to the eyelid, no blood, there was a discharge but slight, his eye is open most of the time and his pupil reacts to light. He is behaving normally, I rinsed the eye with NaCl solution. He doesn't seem to be in pain or any discomfort, he is not scratching or reacting to me touching his eye. It was closed most of the time yesterday but is mostly open today. There is no vet in my town so I cannot take him for a check-up. Can his eye heal on its own only with rinsing or should I do something else?
dog-breed-icon
DOMESTIC
dog-name-icon
Poe
dog-age-icon
4 Months
thumbs-up-icon

0 found this helpful

thumbs-up-icon

0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Eye Clouding
Eye Discharge
Scratching
Eye Discomfort
Blind
My kitten got an eye injury but I can't a vet, so it has been like a month, I'm not sure what to do. His eye in the center looks damaged and he can't see out of it.
Eye Injuries Average Cost
From 532 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,000
Average Cost
$500
Wag Compare logo

Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!

Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.

Get a quote

background
Need pet insurance?
Need pet insurance?

Learn more in the Wag! app

Five starsFive starsFive starsFive starsFive stars

43k+ reviews

Install


© 2025 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved.


© 2025 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved.