You may have experienced conjunctivitis, a sticky eye infection, at some point in your life.
Although it affects numerous species, including humans, cats are the most commonly affected. In actuality, it is the eye illness that affects felines the most frequently.
When Red Eye Is Really “Pink Eyes”
You most likely recognize conjunctivitis as “pink eye,” which is its more well-known name. The diseased eye is more likely to be red than pink in cats with the illness.
When healthy, the conjunctiva, the protective mucous membrane that covers the eyeballs and lines the backs of the eyelids, is typically clear to pale pink. The covering, however, may swell up when conjunctivitis strikes.
In addition to redness, keep an eye out for other signs like:
- Flushing from the eye
- Expansion of interest
- Extreme blinking or squinting
Conjunctivitis symptoms might resemble those of glaucoma, keratitis (inflammation of the cornea), and uveitis (inflammation of the middle layer of the eye) (damage to the optic nerve). However, cats are more prone to experience pain from certain eye disorders.
But it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take your cat to the doctor even if she doesn’t seem to be in discomfort. Even common eye conditions like conjunctivitis, if left untreated, can result in vision loss.
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