Eye Problems in Cats

Question
Hi Jessica,
My cat is about 7 or 8. He was a stray that we took in. Recently, his left eye began looking cloudy. I know cats eyes do that when you look at them becasue of the way they reflect light, but this is more so than normal. His eye also looked to be a bit puffy underneath. Yesterday, I noticed that his eye seemed more puffy, and his eye looked a little orangish red. (He has yellow eyes) His pupils are still responding to light normally, and he has no other visible health issues. I am very worried. My vet often times charges me a lot of money and performs tests that the cats don't need.  I am struggling financially right now, so any info I can get before hand would be great. Thank you,
Sandra

Answer
Hi Sandra.  Definitely get him to the vet while he's still got his sight on this one.  There are multiple conditions which can cause a haze in or on the eye, including (but not limited to):

Uveitis - inflammation of the inner globe of the eye.  This usually causes a deposit of red blood cells or white blood cells floating in the pupil or in front of the iris.  This will appear as a red, brown or gray cloud floating inside the eye.  It can also cause the iris itself to completely change color.  Sight is almost always impaired because scar tissue is often left, but early treatment increases chances of recovering sight.

Keratitis - thickening and inflammation of the cornea.  When it reaches deeper layers of the cornea, this almost always causes at least partial blindness, again because scar tissue is left.  As always, early treatment gives you the best chance of keeping most of his sight.

Glaucoma - an increase in the pressure of the eye.  This is an extremely painful condition that is almost always blinding before treatment is sought.  This is because it often causes the retina to detach and/or the lens of the eye to luxate (slip out of its normal position).  Aggressive treatment with an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory is very important, because the longer a cat goes without treatment, the more likely the eye will not be salvageable, and the eye will need to be removed to stop the excruciating pain.

Corneal ulcers - obviously, a sore on the cornea (outermost layer of the eye, over the iris) that causes the cornea to become thin.  This actually puts the cat at risk for his eye to rupture.  Though extremely painful, these will usually heal up with treatment and leave no permanent vision impairment.

The good thing is, there are generally no tests to run for these conditions upon the first examination.  Just a look in the eyes with an ophthalmoscope, and perhaps an eye stain (dye drops in the eye to look for ulcers), is all that should need to be done at this time.  Treatment is usually an antibiotic eye ointment or drop.  With some of the conditions, a steroid is prescribed to give in the eye, as well.

A recommendation to a veterinary ophthalmologist may be made if the condition doesn't respond to treatment, but in general, all these eye problems are treated relatively simply and inexpensively by a general practitioner.