There are many causes of eye disease, but probably worms cause more eye trouble than any other. A cat which has worms seldom has clear, bright eyes.

Worms affect the whole mucous membrane, which causes chronic running of the eyes and otherwise undermining the cat's constitution; therefore the cat is not healthy, and when it catches cold in the eyes it becomes chronic and can only be properly cured by first ridding the cat of the worms.

Some years eye trouble seems worse than others, as is the case with all diseases. Young kittens, when they first open their eyes need careful attention; if the eye is not open on the ninth day it must be looked at closely, and if any swelling is noticed the lid must be greased and then forcibly opened, or pus quickly forms inside the lids, and if neglected presses on the eye-ball and causes the kitten to become blind. After the lids have been opened the eyes must be bathed with warm cow's milk and water, and the edges of the eyelids greased with a little crude lanolin. Eyes such as these must be attended to at least three times a day should they close up again.

All kittens when first born, and for two weeks, should be kept in semi-darkness; then by degrees allow more light into the bed or room.

As a precaution against sore eyes at the time they open, put one drop of one per cent. solution of nitrate of silver right on the eyelids when the kitten is only a few hours old. Only apply once.

Should the eyes continue to be sore after they are first open, a lotion must be used. Zinc and rose water as made for the human eye I have found very good; or try one per cent.

Solution of Atropine, diluted with water one-half, using only one drop at night. The lanolin on the lids should also be used, even with the lotions. Should young kittens still continue to have chronic running eyes, accompanied by a head cold or sneezing, then you may be sure your kittens have worms. These must be expelled before the kitten can be healthy. For treatment see chapter on worms.

I have seen a bad case of ophthalmia appear in a strong, healthy kitten, one that is known to be free from worms and fleas. This is usually caused by a cold in the eye or some foreign substance. The constant irritation causes the kitten to rub the eye violently; the lids begin to swell and the irritation becomes worse.

To avoid a very bad eye, blindness or a damaged eye, immediate steps should be taken. If you are unable to obtain the right lotion at once, keep the eye clean with warm milk and water, bathing three times a day with absorbent cotton, throwing away each piece as soon as it has been used; then grease the lids with lanolin, and put a little in the corners where they discharge, to prevent soreness. The cat's claws should be cut, especially the fifth one, as often the cat scratches its own eye in its violent attempt to rub and in cleaning it.

The lotion I have found most beneficial for this trouble is a one per cent. solution of atropine; use only one drop at night. Apply after the eye has been cleansed with milk and water and the lids greased. Always hold the cat for a minute or two after applying any lotion, as they will often tear at the eye directly after, thus causing more irritation.

In all eye diseases the patient must be kept in a subdued light to effect a speedy cure, in fact, in cases when atropine is used it is dangerous to expose the eyes to sun light or any bright light. Never allow cats or kittens with bad eyes to sit in front of open fires or near heaters. The air should be pure and not too warm. In summer they must be kept in a cool room and free from draughts. The atropine can be used one drop night and morning in bad cases, and one drop a day as the eye gets better. After applying for a week or ten days, discontinue, and only keep the eyes greased and cleaned.

Ulcers on the eye should be treated at once. They are caused by a scratch, or a neglected cold in the eyes. In appearance the eye has a milky white film over it; sometimes the lids are so swollen that the eyeball is not visible, but should the eyes get as bad as this an ulcer is sure to follow. Use the same treatment given above, only a two per cent. solution of atropine instead of a one per cent., until the white film has nearly gone; then continue with the one per cent. solution until all traces of the film have disappeared.

I have used atropine on cats many times and have always found it most effective, although many persons think it is very dangerous. But it only needs to be applied carefully to be efficacious.

Atropine is also invaluable for a scratch on the eyeball caused by another cat or a sharp piece of wire, etc. Use one drop night and morning of a one per cent. solution. If a scratched eye is neglected an ulcer forms over the eye; then a two per cent. solution will be necessary as before directed.

Yellow oxide of mercury is generally used to remove ulcers, but as it usually leaves a white spot on the eye and causes irritation when being used it is not so satisfactory as the atropine.

In cases of Keratitis, which is a milky film over the eyes, a 25 per cent. solution of Argyrol may be used, one or two drops in the eyes twice daily. Keratitis often appears when the animal is in a low state of health, and after distemper.

In all cases of eye trouble it must be remembered that the eyes must be kept clean and the lids never allowed to stick together.