Expert: Becky - 9/15/2006

Question
Hi Becky,

My kitten is 6 months old now and I noticed recently that one one of her eyes looks opaque, almost blurry, not as clear as the other eye, and it even reflects the light differently. I also noticed she's been squinting that eye, sometimes completely closing it. What could it possible be and how serious do you think it is?

Also thank you so much for all your answers to my previous questions, they were very helpful!!!

Answer
Hi Alla!

You are most welcome!  Cats have an inner eyelid that is like a thin shield that will come up when there is a problem. If there is any kind of infection or foreign substance in the eye, the "shield" will come up to help protect the eye.  She may have scratched her eye somehow, or for some reason it has gotten infected.  You may want to take her to a Vet as she probably needs some type of eye drops or ointment to ward off serious infection.  You don't want it to get worse.  If you just noticed it, then you could wait a day or so and see what it does, but if it doesn't get better, I would take her in for treatment. You don't want to risk her losing her vision in that particular eye over a bad infection, and that can happen.

God Bless,
Becky