Red Eye in Cats

Overview of Cats with a Red Eye

Red eye is a non-specific sign of inflammation or infection. It may be seen with diseases of the external eyelids, third eyelid, conjunctiva, cornea, and sclera. It may also occur with inflammation of the structures inside the eye, with glaucoma (high pressure within the eye) or with certain diseases of the orbit (eye socket). Either one or both eyes can become red, depending upon the cause of the problem.

Eyes become reddened when blood vessels of the conjunctiva (the pink lining of the eyeball and eyelids), sclera (white covering of the eye), or cornea (clear surface of the eye) become enlarged or more numerous.

What to Watch For

Diagnosis of Red Eyes in Cats

Veterinary care includes tests to diagnose the condition causing the red eye and to define subsequent treatment. Your veterinarian will do a complete medical history and physical examination to try to determine if the problem involves only the eye(s) or if other changes are present in the animal.

A complete ophthalmic examination is required to determine the source of the redness and whether it involves inflammation of the external structures of the eye or the internal structures. Your veterinarian may refer your cat to a veterinary ophthalmologist for further evaluation using specialized instrumentation. The following tests may be performed during the eye examination:

Other tests may include:

Treatment of the Red Eye in Cats

The goal of therapy is to decrease any inflammation present and to address the underlying cause. It is very important that the cause of the inflammation or infection be diagnosed, so that specific treatment can be started.

Home Care

Optimal treatment for your pet requires a combination of home and professional veterinary care. Follow-up is important and may include the following:

In-depth Information on Cats with a Red Eye​

Causes of Red Eye in Cats

Diagnosis In-depth

Veterinary care includes diagnostic tests to determine the underlying cause of the red eye and guide subsequent treatment. Your veterinarian will do a complete medical history and physical examination to determine if the problem involves only the eye(s) or whether other changes are present in the animal.

A complete ophthalmic examination is required to determine the source of the redness and whether it involves inflammation of the external structures of the eye or the internal structures. Your veterinarian may refer your cat to a veterinary ophthalmologist for further evaluation using specialized instrumentation. The following tests may be performed during the eye examination:

If uveitis is the suspected diagnosis or if your pet appears unwell, then further tests are indicated to identify diseases that are systemic (involve other systems). Common tests include a complete blood count, biochemistry profile, serum tests for tick borne diseases, systemic fungal infections, and toxoplasmosis, and possibly X-rays of the chest and abdomen.

Treatment In-depth

Exact treatment requires establishment of a diagnosis.

Topical corticosteroids are the most commonly used class of anti-inflammatory agents for non-infectious forms of conjunctivitis, keratitis and anterior uveitis.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a second class of anti-inflammatory drugs, and may be used sometimes in the presence of certain infections.