Cat Eye Health

Question
My 7-mo. old kitten has developed a cloudy appearance on one eye. She sees well from the eye as I have tested that. She has a vet appt. next week to follow up on stitches she had to get after injuring her stomach. Does the eye need to be seen sooner than a week? What might this be?

Answer
Hi, Terry.  If the cloud is on the outer layer of the eye (called the conjunctiva), it's probably indicative of an infection (called conjunctivitis, same as human pink eye) or an ulcer on the eye, caused by an injury or the feline herpes virus.  These are both very painful conditions, as you would imagine.  They also can lead to complications, including blindness, even the need to remove the eye.  So I would recommend getting her in to the vet sooner if you can.  Antibiotic eye ointments or drops are usually recommended, and most cases clear up completely with prompt treatment.

If the cloud is within the eye, the condition is called uveitis, which just means an inflammation of the inner globe of the eye.  The cloud is made up of red and/or white blood cells, fibrin (the beginning of scar tissue), or sometimes more serious things such as sarcomas.  Uveitis is even more serious than conjunctivitis.  It can sometimes be cured with antibiotic eye drops or ointment, sometimes with a steroid added, if caught early enough.  Most cases, though, end up in at least partial blindness.  And about 70% of cats that get uveitis will have relapses or suffer complications.  

Glaucoma is a common complication of uveitis, as the mass in the eye prevents the outflow of fluids from the eye.  Glaucoma nearly always causes blindness within a couple days, due to retinal detachment and/or lens luxation (the lens moves to an unnatural position).  It's also extremely painful, causing a constant migraine-like headache.  Sometimes glaucoma responds to eye medications, but it can be a constant problem, either never clearing up, or recurring frequently.  In these cases, removal of the eye is usually recommended, as it is most comfortable for the cat.

So, to try to prevent all of these things from happening, an immediate vet visit is ideal.

Good luck,
Jessica