Corneal Ulcers – Ouch!
Over the past couple of weeks we have been taking care of a kitty with a very sore eye. This handsome gentleman “Boy Boy” came in to see us because his owners noticed he was holding his eye closed and it appeared quite red. Two classic signs of a very sore eye!
Eyes are extremely delicate and any changes noticed should be examined straight away, including;
- seeing your cat blink more frequently or holding their eye partially or completely shut
- rubbing at their eye with their paw, or rubbing their eye on the carpet or furniture
- the eye appearing red or cloudy
- discharge from the eye
These symptoms are commonly seen with corneal ulceration (as in the case of “Boy Boy”), a condition that can be very painful and requires immediate treatment.
What is the cornea?
The cornea is the thin clear film that covers the front of your cat’s eyeball. It acts to maintain the shape of the eye and protect its contents, whilst allowing light to travel through to the other components of the eye to enable vision. The cornea itself is made up of four different layers of specialised skin cells and is supplied by vessels and protected by a film of tears.
What is a corneal ulcer?
Corneal ulcers occur when the protective outer layer of cells is damaged exposing the more delicate tissues underneath. This can occur through trauma (e.g. cat rubbing its’ eye against a rough surface), a laceration (e.g. a cat-claw scratch) a foreign body (e.g. grass seed), chemical burns (e.g. irritating shampoos, chemicals or dust), a bacterial or viral infection (Feline Herpes Virus type 1 is a major cause of corneal ulceration in cats), lack of tear production or facial nerve paralysis. These conditions may originate within the eye or be secondary to disease elsewhere in the body.
How is a corneal ulcer diagnosed?
A superficial corneal abrasion or ulcer is generally not visible without the aid of special equipment and stains. A fluorescent dye is placed on the cornea, which will show up any defects or ulcers in the corneal surface. The eye and associated conjunctival membranes are checked for the presence of foreign bodies, which can lodge behind the third eyelid. Your vet may also recommend checking your cat’s intraocular pressure as this may help guide treatment.
How is a corneal ulcer treated?
Treatment of corneal ulcers usually includes pain medication along with frequent administration of antibiotic eye drops and eye lubricants which are applied until the ulcer is healed. For cats with suspected or confirmed FHV-1 infections, antiviral medications may also be prescribed.
Keeping your cat inside and away from bright light will help reduce the pain he/she is feeling. Revisits are necessary at frequent intervals to assess the healing process.
The best way to tell that the cornea has healed is to repeat the fluorescein stain test. This test will be performed by your veterinarian at intervals between one and seven days, depending on the severity of the condition and the progress of healing. NEVER discontinue treatment on your own.
Occasionally eye drops and ointments are not sufficient and other treatments or procedures are required to help the cornea heal. Without treatment, ulcers can become deeper and deeper until they penetrate through the cornea completely, causing massive damage to the eye. If untreated, corneal ulcers can lead to severe pain and blindness.
As you are aware, eyes are very important in providing vision, so it is imperative that we treat any problems with them as soon as they develop. If you have any concerns about your cat’s eyes it is best to seek veterinary attention immediately.
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