Edgy, Quirky, Snarky. That's Snarky Cat Boutique

Cats are naturally extra. They squint dramatically, paw at their faces like they’re auditioning for a soap opera, and act like the world’s ending when you so much as trim one claw. But sometimes the drama is real—like when they’ve got an ocular ulcer (a.k.a. a corneal ulcer).

Yes, it sounds fancy. No, it’s not glamorous. And yes, you absolutely need to pay attention.

My boy cat Koji is now in treatment for this very thing. Brought him in to the Vet two days ago. They did the stain thing (where they put this dye in the eye and shine a light on it to see how big it is, etc.) He was not happy. My poor “big boy”. I absolutely loathe having to take my babies in to the Vet for anything. At one point he jumped right off the exam table, and it’s a good thing all the doors were closed. He would have been running all over hell’s half acre trying to get away from all these scary humans.

Anyway, he’s now on antibiotic eye ointment for 7 days twice a day. It should go away – providing I can catch him twice a day to administer his medicine. He can be a little asshole – it’s the Scorpio kitty in him.

But how did this even happen?! I’ve been wracking my brain trying to figure it out…

What’s an Ocular Ulcer Anyway?

Think of your cat’s cornea as a clear contact lens built right into their eyeball. An ocular ulcer is basically a scrape, gouge, or sore on that surface. Unlike a tiny scratch on your arm, this one doesn’t just heal quietly. It’s painful, prone to infection, and can threaten your cat’s vision if you shrug it off.

How Do Cats Even Get These?

Oh, the many ways our little chaos goblins manage to hurt themselves…

Trauma: Kitty karate match gone wrong? Claw to the eye. Or maybe your cat just jammed their face into something pointy while “hunting” dust bunnies.
Herpesvirus (the feline kind, not the human kind): Super common in cats, it flares up with stress and can leave corneas weak and ulcer-prone.
Dry Eye: Not enough tears = sad, scratchy eyeball.
Foreign Bodies: Grass seed, dust, random crumb from your floor… cats have a talent for turning lint into a medical crisis.
Chemicals: Sprays, cleaners, or inappropriate eye drops can all irritate and damage.

Signs Your Cat’s Eye Isn’t Just Being “Extra”

Squinting like they’re channeling Clint Eastwood
Tears streaming like a bad breakup scene
Eye looking cloudy or bluish
Constant pawing at their face
Hissing at the sunlight like a little vampire

If your cat’s rocking any of these symptoms, call your vet. Like – NOW.

Prevention: Save Yourself the Vet Bill (Maybe)

Vaccinate against feline herpesvirus (that core vaccine isn’t optional, folks).
Trim claws so play-fighting doesn’t become “Fight Club: Eye Edition.”
Keep chemicals locked up—your cat doesn’t need to marinate in Lysol fumes.
Monitor chronic eye divas (herpes cats, I’m looking at you).
Keep cats indoors if possible—less brawling, fewer eye-gouging adventures.

Treatment: What the Vet Will Do (And Your Wallet Will Cry About)

Fluorescein stain test: A magical green dye that makes the ulcer glow like something out of a rave.
Eye meds: Antibiotic drops, antiviral drops, artificial tears… basically kitty spa treatments for the eyeball.
Pain control: Because eye ulcers hurt like crazy.
E-collar: The cone of shame, but stylish in its own way.
Surgery: In severe cases, the vet may graft tissue onto the eye. Yes, it’s as intense (and expensive) as it sounds.

Bottom Line

Your cat’s eye ulcers are not a “wait and see” thing. The faster you get treatment, the better the chance your cat keeps their sight (and their drama stays theatrical, not medical).

So next time your feline diva gives you the squinty eye, don’t assume it’s cattitude. It might be an ulcer screaming, “Take me to the vet, human!”

👉 Pro Tip from the Snarky Cat Boutique: Eye goo, squinting, or that mysterious “pirate cat look” = not cute, not quirky, not optional.

Get thee to a vet before your kitty goes full Cyclops!

Ciao,