Cause of Kittens Eyes Continually Pussing Up

HGlick has rescued and placed stray cats for over 20 years and has personally fostered more than ten during that time

Disorders that can cause eye cloudiness include keratitis, glaucoma, and cataracts.

Cloudy Eye in Cats

Problems with a cat's outer eye are usually one of two common ailments: conjunctivitis and cloudy eye.

• Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the lining membrane that covers the inner sides of the eyelids as well as the eyeball's surface up to the lid. Conjunctivitis is one of the most common eye problems among felines.
• Eye cloudiness is a different problem. It is usually caused by one of four things: keratitis, glaucoma, cataracts, or a corneal abrasion.

Whatever the cause, cloudy eye should be treated very seriously. Make an appointment with your vet. Meanwhile, let's find out more about these very different types of eye problems that can cause a cat's eyes to become cloudy or hazy in appearance.

Cloudy Cornea in a Young Female Cat

What Is Keratitis?

When a cat's eyes become cloudy, the area can be minute, appearing as a small localized haziness, or it can make the complete eye seem opaque. In this opaque situation, the inner eye structures are not visible.

Keratitis is an inflammation of the cornea or clear part of the front of the cat's eye. There is a loss of transparency of the cornea. At first, the cornea appears dull, later hazy, then cloudy, and finally it will be covered by a whitish-blue film. In the late stages, there is a deposit of black pigment on the cornea, which blocks out light. Keratitis is always considered serious because it may lead to partial or complete blindness.

How Is it Different from Conjunctivitis?

Superficial or surface keratitis is often confused with conjunctivitis. It is extremely important that a veterinarian examine the animal to distinguish between the two, so that the cat receives the proper treatment. Keratitis is an extremely painful condition accompanied by excessive tearing, squinting and sensitivity to light. The third eyelid comes out to protect the eye. Conjunctivitis, on the other hand, is characterized by chronic discharge but very little pain.

Infectious keratitis occurs when a corneal injury becomes infected. A pus or mucus-like discharge runs from the eye and the lids are swollen. Several kinds of bacteria cause infectious keratitis. Cultures, along with the appropriate antibiotics, will be required.

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma, or "hard eye," develops due to an increase in fluid pressure within the eyeball. When eye pressure reaches a point that is greater than the arterial blood pressure, arterial blood can not enter the eye to nourish the retina. A cat suffering from acute glaucoma will have extremely tender eyes and a fixed blank look due to the hazy and steamy appearance of the cornea and the dilated pupil. If you gently press against the eye with your index finger through the eyelid, the affected eye feels harder than the normal one. Any excessive tearing and squinting is a response to pain. If chronic glaucoma remains untreated, the result will be increased size of the eye and protrusion.

Glaucoma can be diagnosed by measuring intraocular pressure with an instrument placed on the surface of the eye and by inspecting the eye's interior. Some permanent vision may already be lost before the disease is even discovered. Chronic glaucoma may be managed for a time with drops and medication.

What Are Cataracts?

Cataracts are rare in cats. They are defined as any opacity on the lens which interferes with the transmission of light to the retina. A spot on the lens that blocks out light, regardless of its size, is technically a cataract. Cataracts usually appear after conjunctivitis, an eye injury, or an infection. They also may develop later in life in cats that are diabetic.

How Long Do Corneal Abrasions Take to Heal?

Another possible cause of hazy or cloudy eyes is a corneal abrasion. These eye injuries are usually caused by a scratch, but can also be a result of a misdirected eyelash or another foreign object in the eye. They are extremely painful. The cat often squints, waters, paws at his eye, and light may hurt his eyes. Often the third eyelid comes out to protect the injured eye. If the injury is extensive, the surface of the cornea immediately surrounding the injury becomes swollen, giving it a hazy or cloudy look.

Healing usually takes place within 24 to 48 hours, but not if a foreign object is still embedded in the cornea or beneath one of the eyelids. If the abrasion is mild, no exam may be necessary. Otherwise, have a vet check for foreign bodies under the eyelids. Any delay in identifying that as the problem could lead to a persistent corneal defect (ulcer) or inflammation of the cornea (keratitis).

Vision Changes in Senior Pets

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References

The Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook, by Delbert G. Carlson, D.V.M and James M. Giffin, M.D., First Edition

The Best Book For Your Cat's Emergency

Whether you have a kitten or a senior cat, this resource helps you quickly identify potential problems, take proper steps in emergency situations, better understand diagnoses and treatment options, and communicate more effectively with your veterinarian. This is the hands-on reference you'll trust again and again.

Eye Drops for Cats

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author's knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

© 2009 hglick

I have used these eye drops for many of my rescues who were squinting or pawing at their eyes It has helped significantly.

Luna on June 05, 2020:

My cat eye is blurry. You cannot see her eye ball

Victoria from Iowa on July 04, 2018:

If you can't afford to take your cat to the vet. Apply for Carecredit at carecredit.com It is a credit card for Animals that you can use at your Veterinarian Clinic.

unknown on October 08, 2017:

What if i cannot afford to take my cat to the ER?

Dartanyan 13 years old on July 23, 2017:

My cat is an 1 year old and she has a hazy eye and it hurts her

Lisa on June 15, 2017:

Hi I have about a 5-6 week old kitten that was found in middle of road eyes and nose was matted shut and can feel every bone in her body I got nose cleared right away and now it is snort running and sneezes a lot her eyes are still kinda nasty but I wash them few times a day but now that you can see eyes they are very cloudy Hazey looking I have had her for only 4 days now and she has been on clavomox and terramycin for 4 days still won't eat on her own but I am feeding her a dropper with kmr and baby cereal in it about 8-10 dropper full about 10 times a day she is peeing and pooping but very little , any other ideals to help her get better

Jakob Frisk on May 19, 2017:

Good stuff mate! I always the cloudy eyes was because me and the lads having a puff puff pass. But now i know it's because little man is hungry. Well well, shit happens when you party naked.

Teina Heavy Runner on May 18, 2017:

My cat is approximately 18 years; can the cloudiness be due to his age? I am a senior on a fixed with nothing to give a vet. Is there nothing I can do to help her without going to a vet?

FlourishAnyway from USA on April 26, 2013:

Useful information. I have a cat who has had cloudy eyes since he wandered up to our house at ago 7 months. Although I've talked with a vet about it, I may redouble efforts and request an eye specialist consult for him, especially since he is deaf. I'd hate it if he lost his sight as well. Thanks for writing about this.

optometrists Indianapolis In on January 10, 2011:

Like us humans, cats also suffer from eye problems. There are some with cases of glaucoma, if it is not acted upon right away, it may lead to blindness. Proper care for eyes, whether for humans or pets are very important. We can say that our eyes are the windows of our body that's why we can see images. So if you've noticed eye problems, better ask a professional optometrist (for humans) or veterinarian (for pets).

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Source: https://pethelpful.com/cats/Cat-Eye-Problems-Why-the-Cloudy-Eye

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