Hyphema in Cats: Vet Guide 🐱👁️ 2025

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, veterinarian & founder of Ask A Vet.

Hyphema means blood pooling in the front chamber of the eye (the anterior chamber). It’s often alarming to pet owners, but early veterinary care can preserve vision 💡.

🧭 What Is Hyphema?

Hyphema occurs when blood leaks from damaged retinal or uveal vessels into the anterior chamber—between the cornea and iris :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.

🚨 Signs & Symptoms

Look out for these key signs:

• 🔴 **Red or Bloody Eye** – ranging from light pink to deep red clots :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
• 🛑 Visible clot or blood settling at the bottom of the chamber).
• 😹 Squinting, pawing at eye, corneal haze/swelling (edema), and inflamed conjunctiva :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
• 👁️ Small pupil (miosis), larger eyeball (buphthalmos), hypopyon (white inflammatory debris) :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
• ❌ Impaired vision or blindness :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
• ⚠️ Other bleeding signs – bruises, blood in vomit/stool (systemic issues) :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.

💥 Causes of Hyphema

Hyphema is a **sign**, not a standalone disease—identifying the cause is vital :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}:

• 🔫 **Trauma** – blunt force or penetrating injuries (e.g., fights, accidents) :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
• 🦠 **Ocular inflammation (uveitis)** – from infections or immune diseases :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
• 💓 **Hypertension** – often tied to kidney disease or thyroid issues :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
• 🎗 **Tumors** – in or around eye blood vessels :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
• 🧪 **Coagulopathies or toxins** – e.g., rodent poison exposure :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
• 🫀 **Glaucoma, lens displacement, or retinal detachment** :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.

🔍 Diagnosing Hyphema

Diagnosis involves confirming blood in the eye and uncovering the root cause:

• 👁️ **Ocular exam** – assess vision, reflexes, pupil size, cornea clarity.
• 🧪 **Tonometry** – check intraocular pressure for glaucoma risk :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
• 🧴 **Fluorescein stain** – detect corneal ulcers.
• 💧 **Schirmer tear test** – evaluate tear production.
• 🩸 **Blood and organ tests** – CBC, kidney/liver values, clotting profiles, thyroid, blood pressure :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.
• 🔬 **Infection screens** – for tick-borne disease, FeLV/FIV, FIP etc. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.
• 🩻 **Ocular ultrasound/X-ray** – check retina, lens, tumors :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.

🩺 Treatment Plan

Treatment aims to:

1. 🩹 Manage the bleeding
2. 🛑 Control pain & inflammation
3. ❤️ Address the underlying cause :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}.

👁️ Eye-Specific Therapy

• 💊 **Topical anti-inflammatories** – NSAIDs (flurbiprofen, diclofenac) or steroid drops (prednisolone acetate) :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}.
• 🔒 **Atropine drops** – dilate pupil to ease ciliary spasm discomfort.
• 🧪 **TPA injections** – in select cases to dissolve clots :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}.
• 💉 **Systemic NSAIDs or steroids** – for inflammation alongside ocular meds :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}.

🩸 Treating the Root Cause

• 🔪 **Surgery or chemo** – for ocular tumors.
• 🩺 **Manage hypertension** – via BP meds.
• 🦠 **Treat infections or immune diseases**.
• 🚫 **Correct clotting issues** – blood transfusions if necessary.
• 🏥 **Glaucoma** meds or **lens surgery**, if caused by displacement.

⚠️ Severe Cases

In refractory or blind severe hyphema, **enucleation**—removal of the eye—may be advised :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}.

📅 Prognosis & Recovery

Prognosis depends on the severity and cause:

• ✅ Mild cases often resolve in 1–2 weeks with proper care :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}.
• ⚠️ Risk of complications—glaucoma, corneal staining, rebleeds, optic damage—if underlying issues persist :contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}.
• 🚨 Recurrent or chronic hyphema generally carries a poorer outlook :contentReference[oaicite:26]{index=26}.

🏠 Home Care & Monitoring

• 💧 Administer medications on time, per vet instructions.
• ⏰ Keep follow-up visits every 3–7 days initially, then adjust based on healing.
• 🚫 Prevent eye trauma—keep your cat calm and away from hazards.
• 🎯 Track any vision changes, discharge, or eye rubbing.
• 📲 Ask A Vet telehealth is available for quick follow-up or symptom concerns between visits.

🤝 Role of Ask A Vet, Woopf & Purrz

Ask A Vet offers fast expert advice for eye concerns, interpreting signs, and medication questions. While nutrition won’t directly treat hyphema, maintaining good overall health through balanced diets from Woopf & Purrz supports healing and disease resilience.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• 👁️ Hyphema = blood in the eye’s anterior chamber—an emergency requiring vet attention.
• ❗ Causes range from trauma to tumors and systemic disease—diagnostics are key.
• 💊 Dual treatment—relieve eye symptoms and resolve underlying cause
• 🔍 Early, aggressive care often saves vision.
• 📞 Telehealth support empowers at-home monitoring.

📞 Final Thoughts

If you spot blood in your cat’s eye, treat it as urgent—visit your vet immediately. With prompt diagnosis, targeted treatment, and Ask A Vet support, many cats retain vision and recover well 😊.

Need help interpreting treatment responses or scheduling follow-ups? Visit AskAVet.com and download the Ask A Vet app for ongoing support.