Cat Eye Trauma: Is It an Emergency?

While traumatic injuries to the eye are more commonly seen in cats who venture outdoors, they can occur in any cat.

Because they can have serious implications, including vision loss and eye injuries, eye injuries are always something to take seriously.

Our pets rely heavily on their eyes to help them navigate the world, and it can cause them great distress when something goes wrong with them. With many eye injuries, the sooner we seek treatment, the better the prognosis.

What is Eye Trauma in Cats?

Eye trauma can range from a simple scratch on the surface of the eye to something more serious, such as a globe that is protruding or even a ruptured eyeball.

What Causes Eye Injuries in Cats?

Although a cat can harm their eyes in a number of ways, these are the methods that are seen with frequency in vet practices:

Fights With Other Cats or Animals

The majority of fights will be with other cats, usually over territory. However, cats can also get into fights with dogs or even with wildlife, such as foxes.

As well as concern for any eye injury, there is the potential for these fights to cause other problems. A vet exam is needed to assess for further trauma, such as penetrating bite wounds, and to ensure the cat is not in shock.

Scratches, Foreign Objects or Debris

Cats can scratch their own eye when grooming or when walking through brambles and bushes. It is also possible for objects like grass awns or thorns to lodge under the eyelid or in the cornea itself.

While it may be tempting to immediately remove any visible foreign object from the eye, this should not be done without veterinary supervision.

Accidents, Falls or Blunt Trauma

Other potential causes of feline eye trauma would include falls from a height, vehicle accidents or getting hit in the face by things like BB pellets or balls.

The eyes are relatively exposed, and because they are very sensitive, even minor trauma can have a significant impact.

While superficial structures are often affected, deeper structures such as the lens and iris can also be injured.

Chemical Irritants or Household Products

Cats like to explore, and this can land them in trouble. A cat who gets too close to a cleaning product, such as bleach or an essential oil, may damage the superficial structures of the eye.

If you suspect your cat has had contact with a chemical, flush the eye out as best you can and contact your local veterinarian immediately.

What Are the Signs of Eye Trauma in Cats?

Although cats tend to be experts at masking discomfort, there should be some telltale signs that something is amiss.

Squinting, Excessive Blinking or Eye Closure

When you look at your cat, you’ll notice that they are not keeping their eye open as they usually would. This can mean that the eye seems more shut or they’re winking and blinking a lot. In some cases, the eye will be held completely closed.

Redness, Swelling or Discharge

Often, the eyelids are red or swollen, and the skin around the eye may appear puffy.

Discharge is a frequent feature of eye injuries and usually starts out transparent or slightly yellow. If a secondary infection develops after a day or two, you may notice the discharge becoming more green or brown. This is a common feature of conjunctivitis.

Visible Scratches, Cloudiness or Blood in the Eye

If you look closely at the surface of the eye, you may spot an indentation, scratch, foreign object, clouding, or even blood or new blood vessels inside.

Behaviour Changes or Signs of Pain

As the cat will be uncomfortable, you are likely to also notice signs that they are in pain, including:

• Lethargy
• Hiding away
• Reduced appetite
• Being more vocal
• Face rubbing
• Faster breathing

When is Cat Eye Trauma an Emergency?

Although minor injuries may not require immediate intervention, many eye injuries should be assessed urgently.

Sudden Vision Loss or Severe Eye Pain

Any change in vision is a red flag that warrants immediate investigation. This may present as very dilated pupils or a cat who is struggling to navigate their surroundings.

You may notice they may bang into things or be less accurate when jumping or climbing.

Bleeding or a Visible Eye Injury

If the eye is damaged or actively bleeding, this is also a big concern. The eye is a highly sensitive structure, and even minor damage can significantly impair vision.

Bulging or Ruptured Eye

The eye should never bulge or pop out; if this occurs, it is a true emergency. There is a chance that the optic nerve is being stretched and damaged. If the eyelids cannot fully close, the eye will also be too dry.

A ruptured lens capsule causes intense pain and uveitis (inflammation of the inside of the eye) and may lead to permanent blindness. There is also a real risk of infection.

What Should You Do if Your Cat Injures Its Eye?

Try not to panic if you spot an injury, and do what you can to assess how serious it is and how your cat is coping.

How to Safely Examine Your Cat’s Eye

Try to have your cat in a small room with someone else holding them still.

Hold them firmly and use a flashlight to help examine the eye. Talk to them calmly and gently, as they may find this stressful.

Should You Rinse or Clean the Eye at Home?

It can be useful to rinse the eye, especially if debris is visible on the surface or there is concern about contact with an irritant.

A good method is to soak cotton balls in sterile saline (salt water if available) and squeeze them out over the eye. They can then be used to wipe the eye outward from the nose.

When Should You Take Your Cat to an Emergency Vet?

Contact an emergency vet if there is any concern about significant eye damage, if there are any red flag signs (like a bulging eye or vision loss), or if your cat seems in pain.

How Do Veterinarians Diagnose Eye Injuries in Cats?

Your vet will want to hear about what your cat has recently been doing and the symptoms that concern you.

Physical Eye Examination

In addition to checking your cat all over, the vet will focus on their eyes. They will be assessing things, including the positions of the eyelids and globes, the appearance of the cornea, and your cat’s vision and ocular reflexes.

Fluorescein Staining to Detect Corneal Ulcers

A Fluorescein dye test is usually performed, allowing the vet to assess the surface of the cat’s eyes for scratches, defects, or ulcers. It is useful to visualise the size and depth of the problem.

Imaging Tests for Deeper Eye Damage

A slit-lamp exam and fundoscopy, when available, are useful for visualising structures deeper within the eye.

Less commonly, a vet may recommend tests such as an ultrasound or CT scan to assess for globe fractures or retinal detachment (particularly if there is significant bleeding, which makes visual assessment more difficult).

How Are Eye Injuries in Cats Treated?

Treatment will depend on the type and severity of the problem.

Eye Drops, Antibiotics and Pain Relief

Many cats will benefit from eye drops containing antibiotics and lubricants. Pain relief and anti-inflammatories can be provided orally or topically, depending on the injury type.

Treatment for Corneal Ulcers or Infections

Cats with ulcers should be provided with an Elizabethan collar to prevent rubbing.

They will be given pain relief and topical antibiotics to prevent secondary infections. Importantly, they should be closely monitored to ensure the ulcer resolves quickly.

Surgery for Severe Eye Trauma

Less commonly, surgery is indicated. This may be the case for those with large eyelid lacerations, deeply embedded foreign bodies, or proptosis (when the eye has protruded from the socket).

Can Cats Recover From Eye Trauma?

The eye has a great capacity to heal, and many cats recover quickly.

Factors That Affect Recovery

Deeper or more involved injuries will take longer to improve. We also see slower recoveries in older cats and those with underlying medical problems, such as diabetes or chronic kidney disease.

Rubbing can also be an issue, and cats who are not prevented from rubbing their eyes will generally have much slower, more complicated recoveries.

Possible Long-Term Vision Complications

There is a risk for permanent changes, including scarring at the front of the eye and permanent vision loss.

A small number of cats may experience changes in the drainage of their eyes, potentially leading to glaucoma (increased pressure within the eye).

How Can You Prevent Eye Injuries in Cats?

Often, we cannot prevent eye injuries, but some steps can reduce the risk.

Reducing Fight Risks

Cats who spend time outdoors are inevitably at increased risk. Still, many owners choose to let their cat outside, as they feel it is important to their cat's quality of life.

Neutering cats reduces fighting, and you may also consider scheduling their outdoor time when fewer other cats are about. A bell around their neck can also make them less successful ‘fighters’.

Get Emergency Vet Care for Your Cat

You can contact us at any time for emergency care for your cat, particularly if they’ve recently experienced trauma or if their eye appears abnormal.

Cat Eye Trauma​ FAQs

Is Eye Trauma in Cats Always an Emergency?

Many cases of eye trauma are an emergency, especially if there is bleeding, a deep laceration, penetration of a foreign body, swelling of the eye or severe pain.

Can a Cat’s Eye Injury Heal on Its Own?

Very minor injuries may heal on their own, but this is not a risk worth taking. Always have a veterinary professional assess your cat’s eye injury in person.

How Do I Know if My Cat Has Scratched Its Eye?

Some of the more common symptoms we will see include squinting, tear staining and eye rubbing.

What if an Eye Infection Is Not Treated?

There is concern that the eye could become deeply scarred, and there would be permanent blindness. In rare cases, a severe, untreated eye infection in a cat can spread beyond the eye and contribute to sepsis, a life-threatening systemic infection.