As well as being windows to their very souls, cats’ eyes play a vital role in their daily lives, helping them to navigate and communicate.
Along with vocalization and tail movement, cats will often wink as a means of indicating their happiness and contentment.
But when the wink becomes a prolonged squint, there might be some cause for concern.
So what are the potential reasons behind excessive squinting in one eye?
Foreign Object
One-eyed squinting is sometimes the result of a foreign object. This may be a small dirt fragment, debris or even an insect.
Keep in mind that cats are curious by nature and very active during daylight hours and come into contact with all kinds of objects and obstacles.
Symptoms
- Squinting
- Excessive Tearing/Discharge
- Redness/Inflammation
- Pawing at Eye
- Swelling
Treatment
Gently wipe the corner of the eye with a clean, damp cloth or cotton ball.
To avoid causing further irritation don’t use force and ensure that the cloth/cotton ball is clean.
If you can’t remove the object or the problem persists, you’ll need to consult a vet.
Corneal Ulcer or Abrasion
A scratch or ulcer on your cat’s cornea (the clear outer layer of the eye) can cause squinting in one eye.
If serious enough, it may also force a cat’s eye closed.
Ulcers and abrasions tend to be caused by trauma such as scratches, infections, foreign objects or exposure to harsh chemicals.
Symptoms
- Squinting
- Excessive Tearing/Discharge
- Redness/Inflammation
- Sensitivity to Light
- Pawing at Eye
- Swelling
- Opacity/Cloudiness in Eye
Treatment
Treatment options include antibiotic eye drops or ointments.
Oral medications may also be prescribed by a vet to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
And to prevent further pawing at the eye, a protective cone might be fitted, allowing the cornea to properly heal
In severe cases or when the corneal ulcer is not healing with standard treatments, surgical intervention may be necessary.
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the lining in your cat’s eyes.
It’s often the result of a bacterial or viral infection. Foreign objects, irritants and allergic reactions are also known to cause the condition.
Symptoms
- Squinting
- Excessive Tearing/Discharge
- Excessive Blinking
- Redness/Inflammation
- Pawing at Eye
- Sensitivity to Light
- Swelling
- Matted or Crusty Fur Around Eye
Treatment
Antibiotic eye drops, ointments or oral medications may be prescribed for bacterial infections.
For viral Conjunctivitis, antiviral eye drops may be recommended as well as oral treatments.
Conjunctivitis resulting from allergies may require antihistamines or corticosteroids in order control the allergic reaction and ease inflammation.
In terms of home treatment, try gently cleaning around the eye with a cotton ball.
This will remove excessive discharge and help to prevent crusting or matting,
Uveitis
Uveitis is the inflammation of the middle layer of the eye comprising the iris, ciliary body and choroid.
As well as being uncomfortable, the condition sometimes leads to vision loss if left untreated.
Common causes include infections, trauma, exposure to toxins, autoimmune disorders and neoplasia.
Symptoms
- Squinting/Cats Eye Closed
- Excessive Tearing/Discharge
- Excessive Blinking
- Redness/Inflammation
- Pawing at Eye
- Sensitivity to Light
- Swelling
- Opacity/Cloudiness in Eye
- Eye Changes Colour
Treatment
The cause and severity of the inflammation will dictate the type of treatment required.
Eye drops, oral meds and ointments containing anti-inflammatory ingredients may be prescribed by a vet.
Antibiotics and antifungal/antiviral medications might also be suggested.
In some cases, immunosuppressive drugs and antiparasitic medications will be subscribed.
Glaucoma
Squinting is sometimes the result of Feline Glaucoma – a condition in which fluid-build up causes pressure in the eye.
Genetic factors are sometimes behind glaucoma as are other conditions that interfere with normal fluid drainage.
Symptoms
- Squinting
- Excessive Tearing/Discharge
- Excessive Blinking
- Redness/Bloodshot
- Bulging of Eye
- Change in Pupil Size
- Cloudiness or Blue-ish Tint in Eye
Treatment
Eye drops/oral drugs, anti-inflammatory medications such as Corticosteroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often prescribed.
However, your vet may need to treat other underlying causes such as Uveitis or lens luxation.
To treat discomfort, analgesic medications may be necessary.
For extreme cases, surgery might need to be performed.
Trauma or Injury
Unfortunately, cats sometimes get into scrapes, be it with other cats and animals or from coming into contact with sharp objects.
Trauma is often the end result which may behind your cat squinting in one eye.
Trauma caused by sharp objects often result in lacerations and corneal abrasions.
But blunt force trauma is also known to cause inflammation and swelling, resulting in the cat squinting due to discomfort.
It’s the same for penetrating injuries too – sharp objects or projectiles can penetrate the eye, resulting in damage to its internal structure.
Symptoms
- Squinting
- Excessive Tearing/Discharge
- Redness/Inflammation
- Bleeding
- Sensitivity to Light
- Visible Damage
- Swelling
- Change in Pupil Size
- Vision Loss
- Behavioral Changes (more aggressive or withdrawn)
When to See a Vet
If your cat is closing one eye, you’ll need to consult your veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Prompt intervention, especially with regards to injuries can help prevent complications, such as infection or vision loss.
Preventative Measures
You’ve got a number of options when it comes to minimizing the risk of eye problems in cats:
- Regular Check-Ups with a Vet – Arrange regular visits to your vet so that any health issues, eye problems among them, can be diagnosed and treated in a timely fashion.
- Grooming – Regular grooming will help keep your cat’s face clean and free of debris or hair that could irritate the eyes. Gently clean around the eyes with a soft cotton ball taking care not to touch the eye itself.
- Monitor for signs of discomfort – Keep an eye on your cat’s behavior and appearance and look out for signs of eye discomfort or irritation. Consult your vet straightaway if you notice anything untoward.
- Keep your cat’s environment clean – Keep a clean living area for your cat to guard against exposure to bacteria, viruses or parasites.
- Provide a safe indoor environment – create a comfortable and secure space, minimizing potential hazards by removing sharp objects and making toxic substances inaccessible.
- Be careful with household chemicals – Store cleaning supplies and other chemicals safely out of reach and exercise caution when using these products around your cat.
- Watch out for allergens – Look out for possible eye irritants such as pollen, dust or strong fragrances. Try and keep your cat away from them or purchase items that can help with airborne allergens such as a pet air filter.
- Regularly inspect your cat’s eyes – check your cat’s eyes regularly for signs of redness, discharge, cloudiness, or abnormalities. Observe any changes and you should notify your vet.
- Provide a balanced diet – Offer your cat a balanced and nutritious diet to support eye health. Consult your veterinarian for recommendations on the appropriate diet for your cat’s specific needs and life stage.
