Introduction
Sleep in a cat’s eye refers to the gunky discharge that can accumulate in the corners of a cat’s eyes while they sleep. This discharge is made up of mucus, dust, dried tears, and other debris. While a small amount of discharge is normal, excessive buildup can lead to irritation and infection if not cleaned regularly.
It’s important to clean sleep from your cat’s eyes every day for several reasons. The debris can cause ocular discomfort. If allowed to build up, it can lead to conjunctivitis or other eye infections. The gunk can also harden overnight and make it difficult for your cat to fully open their eyes. Regular cleaning keeps their eyes healthy, prevents issues, and allows them to see clearly.
This article will discuss the causes of sleep in a cat’s eyes, potential dangers if left unchecked, and provide tips on proper cleaning techniques. Proper eye hygiene is an important part of caring for your cat.
Signs of Sleep in a Cat’s Eye
Some common signs that a cat has sleep buildup in their eyes include:
Crustiness around the eyes in the morning – Cats can get crusty discharge in the corners of their eyes while sleeping. This crusty buildup is sometimes referred to as “eye boogers” and occurs when the tear film on the surface of the eye thickens during sleep. As a cat blinks and moves their eyes during sleep, debris and mucus can stick to this thickened tear film, forming a crusty discharge.[1]
Eye discharge – In addition to crustiness, cats may also have watery, thick, or colored discharge coming from one or both eyes. This can be a sign of an eye infection or other eye condition causing inflammation and excess tear production.[2]
Excess tearing or dampness around the eyes – Some cats may have very watery eyes that leave their fur damp around the eye area. This can be caused by eye irritation, infection, or a blocked tear duct.[3]
Swelling or redness around the eyes – Sleep and discharge buildup can cause eye irritation, leading to puffy, swollen, or reddened eyelids and tissue around the eyes.
Squinting or keeping eyes shut – Discomfort from eye discharge may cause a cat to squint or keep their eyes closed to avoid irritation.
[2] https://www.vetdermclinic.com/eye-discharge-in-cats-signs-you-need-to-bring-your-cat-to-the-vet/
[3] https://www.webmd.com/pets/cats/eye-discharge-in-cats
Causes of Sleep in a Cat’s Eye
There are several potential causes for sleep building up in a cat’s eyes:
Normal Eye Secretions: Cats naturally produce tears to keep their eyes lubricated. As these tears evaporate, they can leave behind dried discharge or “sleep” in the corners of a cat’s eyes. This is normal, but an excessive amount of discharge may indicate an underlying issue.
Eye Infections: Infections like conjunctivitis or viral upper respiratory infections can cause increased tear production and discharge. The discharge is often yellow or greenish in color. Eye infections need veterinary treatment with prescription eye drops or ointments.
Blocked Tear Ducts: A blocked nasolacrimal duct prevents tears from draining properly. This causes excessive tear buildup and discharge. Surgery may be needed to open up the blocked duct.
Dangers of Not Cleaning Sleep from a Cat’s Eye
Allowing sleep to build up in your cat’s eyes can lead to several health issues if left untreated. Some key dangers include:
Discomfort. As sleep accumulates, it can cause irritation, itchiness, and redness in the eyes as it hardens and crusts around the eye area. This is very uncomfortable for cats.
Eye infections. Sleep provides an ideal environment for bacteria to grow and multiply. As sleep builds up over time, bacterial infections are more likely to develop in the eye area leading to conditions like conjunctivitis (pinkeye). These infections require medication to clear up.
Damage to the cornea. If eye discharge is allowed to remain in the eyes for an extended period, it can actually scratch and damage the cornea. Left untreated, this can cause vision problems, eye ulcers, or even blindness in severe cases.
It’s important to stay on top of cleaning away sleep from your cat’s eyes. Otherwise, your cat may experience significant eye problems over time. Gently wiping the eye area daily helps remove discharge before it leads to infection or damage [1].
How to Clean Sleep from a Cat’s Eye
The best way to clean sleep or eye discharge from your cat’s eyes is to use a soft, damp cloth or cotton pad. Dip the cloth or pad in warm sterile saline solution or plain sterile water (sources: https://vetericyn.com/blog/how-to-properly-clean-your-cats-eyes/, https://www.catster.com/guides/how-to-clean-cat-eye-boogers/). Gently wipe any discharge or matter away from the corner of your cat’s eyes, being careful not to press too hard. You can also use a specially formulated veterinarian-recommended cat eye wash, though be sure to follow product instructions closely.
When cleaning, wipe inward towards the nose to avoid spreading any eye discharge into the other eye. Use a clean part of the cloth or a new cotton pad for each eye. It’s important to be gentle and not irritate the eye area. Cats rarely need more than a soft wipe to remove eye discharge.
Make sure your hands are washed and clean before touching your cat’s eyes. Don’t use any cleaning solutions that aren’t approved for use around a cat’s eyes. Avoid rubbing too vigorously. If discharge remains after gentle wiping, visit your veterinarian.
Home Remedies for Cleaning a Cat’s Eye
There are some simple home remedies you can try to clean sleep and discharge from your cat’s eyes before turning to medical treatments.
One home remedy is using a chamomile tea bag. Chamomile has natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe irritation in the eye. Steep a chamomile tea bag in hot water for 3-5 minutes. Allow it to cool so it is warm but not hot. Gently press the tea bag against the cat’s closed eye for 1-2 minutes to help cleanse the eye area. Be careful not to scratch the eye with the tea bag.1
You can also make a saline eye wash at home to rinse away discharge and debris. Mix 1/4 teaspoon of salt with 1 cup of boiled, cooled water. Allow this solution to cool to room temperature. Dip a soft cloth or cotton ball in the solution and gently wipe the cat’s eye from the inner to the outer corner. This can help flush out irritants without harming the eye.2
Use these home remedies up to 4 times daily. Make sure to use clean cotton balls or cloths each time. If symptoms persist more than 1-2 days, take your cat to the vet for medical treatment.
Medical Treatments if Home Remedies Don’t Work
If gently cleaning your cat’s eye and using home remedies do not resolve the eye discharge, more advanced medical treatment may be necessary. Some options that a veterinarian may recommend include:
– Prescription eye medications: Eye drops, gels or ointments containing antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, or other medications can treat infections, allergies, and other causes of excessive eye discharge. These are often more effective than over-the-counter remedies.
– Surgery for blocked tear ducts: Sometimes cats can have blockages in their tear ducts which prevent tears from draining properly. This can lead to excessive tear buildup. Surgery may be done to open up the tear ducts and allow drainage.
– Eye flushing: To remove debris, bacteria, or thick discharge, vets may flush the eye with a sterile saline solution. This can provide relief and allow medication to penetrate.
– Immune-modulating drugs: For recurring eye problems related to allergies or autoimmune disease, drugs that reduce inflammation and calm the immune response may be used.
Severe eye infections, ulcers, glaucoma, or other serious conditions may also require prescription medication or surgery. Consulting a vet as soon as excessive eye discharge is noticed gives the best chance at resolving the problem.
Preventing Sleep in a Cat’s Eye
There are a few steps cat owners can take to help prevent sleep from building up in their cat’s eyes:
- Clean the eyes daily – Use a soft, damp cloth to gently wipe any discharge or crust away from the corners of your cat’s eyes each day. This helps prevent buildup. (https://www.banfield.com/en/Wellness-at-banfield/Ear-Care/Cat-eye-boogers)
- Address underlying issues – If your cat has recurring sleep in their eyes, it could be a sign of an underlying health issue like allergies, infection, or blocked tear ducts. Have your vet examine your cat to determine if there is an underlying cause that needs treatment.
- Trim facial hair – Long hair around the eyes can trap discharge and allow sleep to build up. Keeping the hair trimmed can help prevent this.
- Improve air quality – Allergens, dust, and cigarette smoke can all contribute to eye issues in cats. Make sure your cat’s environment is clean and well-ventilated.
By keeping your cat’s eyes clean daily and addressing any underlying health issues, you can help prevent problematic sleep buildup in their eyes. Be observant of any changes and contact your vet promptly if you notice increased discharge.
When to See a Vet
If your cat has persistent eye discharge, redness, swelling or seems to be squinting or keeping their eyes closed, it’s important to have them seen by a veterinarian. These signs can indicate an eye infection, injury or other problem that requires treatment. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, conditions like conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers and glaucoma often cause red, runny eyes in cats.
Cats are very good at masking pain, so changes in their eye appearance or behavior like squinting, pawing at their eyes excessively or rubbing their face along furniture may be the only signs of discomfort. Don’t wait to see if symptoms go away on their own, as eye issues can worsen quickly. Bring your cat to the vet promptly if you notice any of the following:
- Green, yellow or brown discharge from one or both eyes
- Cloudy appearance in the eye(s)
- Crusty buildup on the eye or eyelids
- Swelling or bulging of the eyes
- Rubbing or pawing at the eyes
- Squinting or keeping eyes closed
- Apparent vision trouble like clumsiness or hesitancy
The vet will examine your cat’s eyes closely and may perform tests like a fluorescein eye stain to check for ulcers. Treatment may include antibiotic or anti-inflammatory eye drops/ointments, pain medication, and medications to dilate the eyes or reduce swelling. With prompt vet attention and proper treatment as prescribed, your cat’s eye issue should resolve.
Sources:
https://www.vetdermclinic.com/eye-discharge-in-cats-signs-you-need-to-bring-your-cat-to-the-vet/
https://www.maddiesfund.org/kb-eye-discharge-in-cats.htm
Conclusion
In conclusion, it’s important to keep your cat’s eyes clean and free of sleep in the corners. Sleep can lead to irritation, infection and other eye problems if left untreated. Be vigilant in checking your cat’s eyes daily and gently wiping away any sleep or discharge you notice.
Some key steps to remember are using a soft, damp cloth to wipe the eye area, applying a warm compress if needed to loosen dried sleep, flushing the eye with saline solution, and applying medicated eye drops if instructed by your vet. With regular cleaning and care, you can prevent recurring eye issues in your cat.
By establishing a good eye care routine and watching for any concerning symptoms, you can keep your cat’s eyes healthy, comfortable and sleep-free. Don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian if problems persist after home treatment. Caring for your cat’s eyes is an important part of maintaining their overall wellbeing.