Corneal ulcers in cats – signs and what to do

What you can do now

1. Contact your vet.
2. Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
3. Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
4. Keep fresh water available.
5. Let your cat rest somewhere calm.

Don't

• Do not give any human medicine.
• Do not wait if it gets worse.

What it is

A corneal ulcer is a wound or crater that develops when something rubs or damages the surface of the eye.^[1] If left untreated, an ulcer can be very painful, cause permanent damage and, in severe cases, lead to loss of an eye.^[1]

Signs

• A red, inflamed eye
• A weepy eye
• A painful eye that is closed or squinting
• A cloudy eye
• An obvious crater or dip on the surface of the eye

Causes and risk factors

• Dry eye
• Injuries such as stick injuries and cat scratches
• Something stuck in the eye, such as a grass seed or grit
• Eyelid problems such as entropian
• Bacterial eye infections
• Viral eye infections

How vets treat it

• Surgery
• Antibiotics
• Anti-inflammatories
• Steroids
• Hospitalisation
• Eye drops or ointment
• Medication
• Pain relief

What the experts say

“With careful nursing and the right medication, a small ulcer should heal in under a week. Eye drops. It’s likely that your vet will prescribe your cat with lubricating eye drops to keep the surface of their eye moist while it heals.”

Common questions

Other conditions in cats

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