Different colored eyes

Question
I recently adopted a cat from an animal shelter and she was fine the first few days but shortly she developed upper respiratory infection (diagnosed by a vet) after a few days of medication she seemed to be getting a lot better. My concern is that I left her with my mom for the weekend and when I came back I noticed that one of her eyes changed color. Her eyes were normally a gray blue color and now one of them is a reddish orange color while the other is still the blue gray. I am wondering if there is a deeper concern that I need to be aware of or if this might be normal. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

Answer
Hi Amanda,

This is cause for concern. When an iris changes color, it is usually the result of a deposit of red blood cells in the eye. This can be caused by infection or by inflammation without a definite cause. The condition is called uveitis. It can be quite painful and can cause increased pressure in the eye, leading to complications such as glaucoma, detached retina, displacement of the lens, scarring and blindness. Fortunately, if treatment is sought immediately, most cats have minimal loss of eyesight, if any.

Your vet will probably stain your cat's eye to make sure there are no ulcers on the cornea. If there are not any ulcers, a steroidal drop will probably be prescribed, along with an antibiotic eye drop or ointment (they may be combined into one treatment). The steroid will reduce inflammation that will reduce the risk of glaucoma, luxated lens and retinal detachment. You should notice that the color of the eye starts to return to normal, and the red blood cells will actually probably begin to settle toward the bottom of the eye. They will start to be absorbed by the body over the next few days. You may see the inside of the eye become a little cloudy as scar tissue forms. This should become smaller and less noticeable over time.

You should continue treatment as long as suggested, and be sure to keep an eye out for any recurrences. Some cats are more likely to suffer from relapses.

Good luck!
Jessica