Most eye injuries in cats heal completely, allowing the cat to resume its normal activities. Recovery time largely depends on the type of injury and its severity. Be sure to administer all medications that your vet recommends, and remove any potential eye irritants from the cat’s reach.
Corneal and Scleral Lacerations in Cats
A wound or foreign object that enters the eye but does not entirely pass through the cornea or sclera is referred to in medicine as a penetrating injury. On the other hand, a perforating injury is a wound or foreign body that entirely penetrates the sclera or cornea. The latter injury obviously poses a higher risk to vision. The cornea is the front (anterior) transparent layer of the eye. The tough covering that covers the eyeball is called the sclera, or white of the eye.
Once more in medical terms, a simple injury can be penetrating or perforating and only affects the cornea or sclera. Other eye structures are not injured in a simple injury. A complex injury tears open the eye, affecting not just the cornea or sclera but also other structures within the eye. Actually, it may impact one or both of the eye’s components. A complex perforating injury can damage the entire middle layer of the eyeball, which is made up of the iris, the space between the iris, and the choroid, or the layer between the retina and the sclera, and contains the blood vessels. Additionally, there might be damage to the lens, which could result in cataracts or cuts on the eyelid.
The abruptness of the symptoms may indicate an injury to the eyeball (e.g., g. , scratching at the eye, blinking quickly, swelling, and inflammation), in addition to the following signs, any of which could point to an eye injury:
- Blood in the eye or a mass filled with blood following a closed cut that is called a subconjunctival hematoma
- An identifiable foreign object in the eye through vision
- The pupil is distorted, either reacting abnormally or shaped differently
- The cornea, is clouded (cataract)
- The eye is protruding
The following are some of the most frequent situations that result in eye injuries:
- When your pet has been running through heavy vegetation
- Fireworks, firearms, or other fast-moving projectiles near your pet
- pre-existing visual impairment or an abnormality in the eye’s structure
- Untrained animals that are immature, naive, or extremely excitable
- fights with other animals, especially cats who will scratch other animals’ faces.
Your cat’s veterinarian will decide on the best course of action if they discover a foreign object in its eye. The type, direction, and force of the object impact will aid in determining which tissues might be affected. The visual response to a menace (i. e.g., blinking in reaction to something being pushed up against the eye), and aversion to intense light will be evaluated. The students’ dimensions, forms, symmetry, and light reflexes will all be assessed. Before examining the internal components of the eye for trauma, your veterinarian will rule out a corneal ulcer or any other naturally occurring cause that may be harming the eye if a foreign object is not discovered.
The extent of the damage and the affected area of the eye will determine the treatment plan. An Elizabethan collar and antibiotic or atropine eye solutions will be used to stop your cat from scratching at its eye if the wound is non-perforating and has no wound edge or opening. A soft contact lens, an Elizabethan collar, and antibiotic or atropine solutions can be used to treat non-perforating wounds with a minor tissue break or pinpoint wound perforations.
Injuries requiring surgical exploration or repair:
- Full-thickness corneal lacerations
- Full-thickness wounds with iris involvement
- Full-thickness scleral or corneoscleral lacerations
- retained foreign object or rupture of the posterior scleral (eye white)
- A straightforward nonperforating incision with edges that are longer than the cornea’s thickness or that are overtly or moderately broken
A cornea that has been injured and lacerated, or that has retained a foreign object, can usually be repaired. However, the prognosis for maintaining vision is worse the farther back or deeper the injury. Examples of conditions that would indicate a poor prognosis include damage to the sclera, the white outer membrane of the eye, or the vascular layer, the fluid-filled portion of the eyeball. If there is no perception of light, there could be a retinal detachment, a large hemorrhage in the vitreous, the clear gel that fills the space between the lens and the retina of the eyeball, or a perforated injury to the lens. Sharp traumas carry a worse prognosis than blunt traumas, and penetrating injuries typically have a better one than perforating injuries.
Most of the time, your veterinarian will recommend drugs based on the severity of the wound. Antibiotics, along with anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics for pain, are typically prescribed.
For the first few days, deep or wide penetrating wounds that have not been sutured will require follow-up examinations every 24 to 48 hours. It is sufficient to recheck the penetrating wound every three to five days until it heals if it is superficial.
In terms of prevention, if you currently own a cat, exercise caution when bringing new animals into your home. Unintentional injuries may arise from aggressive attempts by the newcomer cat to push the established cat, or from the established cat making displays of authority. Additionally, try to dissuade your pet from sprinting through dense foliage. If you are in an environment where there is a chance that debris will get into your eyes, such as a beach or a wooded area, , keeping a bottle of saline eyewash handy would be a smart idea to rinse out any foreign objects in the eyes.
What is an Eye Infection?
A general term for when one of the eye’s structures has been “invaded” by bacteria or viruses is “eye infection.” It matters which particular area of the eye is affected. Commonly infected parts of the eye include:
- Cornea – Clear front part of the eye
- Conjunctiva – Pink tissue that lines the eyelids
- Tear ducts: The organ that connects the eyes and nose to carry tears
What Are the Causes of Eye Infections in Cats?
The four most typical causes of cat eye infections are listed below, though there may be many more.
FAQ
How long does it take for a cat’s eye injury to heal?
Will cats eye heal on its own?
Will cat eye infection clear on its own?