# Kitten Eyes Closed or Stuck Shut: What to Do A kitten with one or both eyes closed may simply be too young to open them yet, or the eye may be stuck shut by discharge from an infection. If your kitten eye is closed after the normal opening window, or if the eye is crusted, swollen, or leaking pus, treat it as a medical problem until a veterinarian says otherwise. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - Kittens are born with their eyes closed and normally open them at about 7 to 14 days of age. Anything still sealed after roughly 2 weeks needs a veterinary look. - Never pry a kitten's eyelids open. You can cause serious damage to the eye, and you may tear adhesions that need surgical care. - A warm, damp cotton ball can gently soften crust on the outside of the lids. Wipe from the inner corner outward, one clean swipe per cotton ball. - Pus, a swollen or bulging eye, cloudiness, or a kitten that is not eating or is hiding means call a veterinarian the same day. - Feline herpesvirus is a common cause of kitten eye infections and can leave permanent scars if it is not treated early [1]. ## What a Closed or Stuck Eye Looks Like ### Normal development Newborn kittens keep their eyes shut for the first week or two of life. The lids separate gradually, and you may notice a small slit before the eye is fully open. Some kittens open one eye a day or two before the other. That is usually fine as long as the lids are flat, the skin is clean, and the kitten is nursing and gaining weight. ### When it is not normal A stuck eye looks different from a closed eye. You may see dried yellow or green crust along the lid margin. The lids may be puffy or glued together. The tissue under the lid may look red, and the eye may bulge slightly. A watery or thick discharge that keeps coming back after you wipe it is another sign that something is wrong. Some kittens develop adhesions between the eyelid and the eyeball. This is called symblepharon, and it can form after inflammation or infection in a very young eye [2]. In one review of 40 kittens, symblepharon appeared in several patterns, including eyelid deformation, conjunctiva-to-conjunctiva adhesions, and adhesions between the third eyelid and the conjunctiva [2]. Eleven of the 54 eyes in that review had corneal ulcers at the first visit, so a stuck eye is not always a minor problem [2]. ## Why Is My Kitten Eye Closed? Main Causes | Cause | Typical clues | How urgent | |---|---|---| | Normal development | Kitten is under 2 weeks old, lids are flat and clean, both eyes are similar | Routine, watch daily | | Feline herpesvirus infection | Watery or thick discharge, sneezing, red conjunctiva, one or both eyes | Same day if pus or swelling | | Bacterial conjunctivitis | Yellow or green pus, crusted lids, redness | Same day | | Ophthalmia neonatorum | Newborn kitten, swollen lids, pus under the closed lid | Emergency, the eye can be lost | | Symblepharon | Lids or third eyelid stuck to the eye, cloudy cornea, chronic tearing | Urgent, surgery may be needed | | Foreign body or injury | Sudden squinting, tearing, one eye only, possible scratch | Emergency | | Corneal ulcer | Cloudy spot, pain, pawing at the face, heavy tearing | Emergency | Feline herpesvirus-1 is widespread in cats, and the most common eye signs are conjunctivitis and keratitis [1]. It can also cause ophthalmia neonatorum, symblepharon, corneal sequestrum, and other serious problems [1]. Kittens are especially vulnerable because their immune systems are still developing. Bacterial infections often follow a viral infection. The virus damages the surface of the eye, and bacteria move in. That is why a kitten can start with clear tearing and progress to thick pus within a day or two. Injuries matter too. A scratch from a littermate, a piece of bedding, or a claw can ulcerate the cornea. A corneal ulcer is painful, and it can deepen quickly in a small eye. ## Red Flags That Mean Emergency Call an emergency veterinarian right away if you see any of these: - The eye is bulging, the globe feels hard, or the kitten is crying and pawing at the face. - There is thick yellow or green pus, or the lids are so swollen they cannot be separated. - The cornea looks cloudy, blue, or white. - The kitten is not eating, is limp, is vomiting, or is hiding and will not come out. Lethargy in a kitten can signal a body-wide illness, not just an eye problem. For more on that, see [Cat Lethargy: When to Worry and What to Do](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/online-vet-and-care-costs/cat-lethargy-when-to-worry). - The kitten is under 2 weeks old and the lids are swollen or crusted. - The eye problem started after a known scratch, fall, or fight. - The kitten has a fever, trouble breathing, or diarrhea along with the eye signs. A newborn kitten with a swollen, pus-filled eye has ophthalmia neonatorum. This is a true emergency. The infection sits behind a closed lid, and pressure can build up and damage the eye permanently. Do not wait until morning. ## Safe Home Care While You Wait You can do a few gentle things at home. You cannot diagnose or cure an eye infection at home, but you can keep the kitten comfortable and make the veterinary exam easier. ### Soften crust the right way Boil water and let it cool until it is warm, not hot. Soak a clean cotton ball or gauze pad. Hold it against the closed lid for 10 to 15 seconds to soften the crust. Wipe once from the inner corner toward the outer corner. Use a new cotton ball for each swipe. Do not scrub, and do not rub back and forth. If the lid separates easily after soaking, stop there. Do not force it. If the crust does not come off after a couple of tries, leave it for the veterinarian. ### Keep the face clean and dry Wipe away tears and discharge a few times a day. Keep the kitten's bedding clean and change it daily. Wash your hands before and after handling the kitten, especially if you have other cats. Herpesvirus spreads easily between cats in a household. ### Support eating and warmth A kitten that cannot see well may have trouble finding the nipple or the food bowl. Guide the kitten to the mother or bottle. Keep the kitten warm. A chilled kitten cannot fight infection well. ### Do not do these things - Do not use human eye drops or ointments unless your veterinarian prescribes them. Some human products contain ingredients that harm a cat's eye. - Do not use leftover medication from another pet. - Do not pry the eyelids apart with your fingers, a cotton swab, or anything else. - Do not use hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, or harsh cleansers near the eye. - Do not wait to see if it gets better on its own if there is pus, swelling, or cloudiness. If your kitten also has a runny nose, sneezing, or a poor appetite, the problem may be a full upper respiratory infection. You can read more about eye discharge in cats in [Cat Eye Discharge: When Should You Worry?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/cat-eye-discharge-when-to-worry). ## What the Veterinarian Will Check and Test Your veterinarian will start with a full eye exam. They will look at the lids, the conjunctiva, the third eyelid, and the cornea. They will check whether the eye is stuck to the lid or the third eyelid, which points to symblepharon [2]. They may use a fluorescein stain to check for corneal ulcers. They may also measure tear production and check the pressure inside the eye. If the kitten has a body-wide illness, they may run blood work. For suspected herpesvirus, testing can include virus isolation, fluorescent antibody testing, serum neutralizing titers, ELISA, or polymerase chain reaction [1]. Your veterinarian will choose the test that fits the kitten's age and signs. Treatment depends on the cause. Viral infections may need antiviral eye medication and supportive care. Bacterial infections need antibiotic eye medication. Your veterinarian calculates the dose and frequency from your kitten's weight and health, so follow the label exactly. If adhesions have formed, surgery may be needed. In the 40-kitten review, 24 eyes were managed with medication alone, and surgery was performed on 30 eyes of 22 kittens [2]. Twelve of those eyes needed more than one surgery [2]. That tells you two things. Some cases do well with medicine, and some cases are stubborn and need a specialist's care. Several surgical methods exist. One case report described a superficial keratectomy combined with a soft contact lens and a temporary partial tarsorrhaphy in a 7-month-old cat, and the symblepharon did not come back 347 days after surgery [3]. A newer pilot study used a modified limbal epithelial transplant in four cats, and three of the four had better corneal clarity and less cornea covered by conjunctiva [4]. One cat in that study developed a corneal infection a month after surgery [4]. Your veterinary ophthalmologist will explain which option fits your kitten. If your kitten needs eye drops at home, it helps to have a plan. See [How to Give Your Cat Eye Drops Without a Fight](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-medication-guide/give-cat-eye-drops). ## Prevention and Daily Monitoring You cannot prevent every kitten eye problem, but you can lower the risk and catch trouble early. - Check every kitten's eyes once a day for the first month. Look for crust, redness, swelling, and discharge. - Keep the birthing area clean. Wash bedding often and keep dust and litter dust low. - Isolate a kitten with eye discharge from other cats until a veterinarian clears it. - Keep vaccinations and deworming on schedule. Your veterinarian will set the timing. - If you foster or breed cats, ask your veterinarian about herpesvirus testing and management in the household. - Watch for squinting, pawing at the face, and sensitivity to light. These are pain signs. - Weigh kittens daily. A kitten that stops gaining weight needs a veterinary visit. If your kitten is hiding more than usual, that can be a pain or illness sign. See [Cat Suddenly Hiding and Not Coming Out: What to Do](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/anxiety-and-behavior-support/cat-suddenly-hiding-not-coming-out). ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian This article cannot tell you what is wrong with your specific kitten. Only a veterinarian who examines the eye can do that. Individual cases need a veterinarian, and eye problems in kittens can change fast. Call your veterinarian the same day if: - The eye is still closed after 2 weeks of age. - There is pus, crust, or swelling. - The cornea looks cloudy or has a white spot. - The kitten is squinting, pawing at the face, or avoiding light. - The discharge keeps coming back after you clean it. - The kitten is not eating well or is losing weight. Go to an emergency clinic now if: - The eye is bulging or the kitten is in obvious pain. - The lids are so swollen the eye cannot be seen. - The kitten is limp, unresponsive, or having trouble breathing. - The kitten is under 2 weeks old with a swollen or pus-filled eye. - There was a known trauma to the eye. Do not wait a few days to see if a kitten eye improves on its own. Early treatment gives the best chance of saving vision. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Should I try to open my kitten's eye myself? No. Never force a kitten's eyelids apart. You can scratch the cornea, and you can tear adhesions that need careful surgical treatment. Soak the crust with warm water and let the veterinarian examine the eye. ### How long does it take for a kitten to open its eyes? Most kittens open their eyes between 7 and 14 days of age. If both eyes are still sealed after about 2 weeks, or if the lids look swollen or crusted, see a veterinarian. ### Can I use human eye drops on my kitten? No, not unless your veterinarian prescribes a specific product. Some human eye drops contain preservatives or medications that are harmful to cats. Your veterinarian will choose a cat-safe medication and calculate the dose from your kitten's weight and health. ### Is a closed eye always an infection? No. A very young kitten with clean, flat lids may just be at the normal stage of development. Infection is more likely if you see pus, crust, redness, swelling, or if the eye stays shut past the normal opening window. ### Will my kitten's eye heal on its own? Some mild cases improve with cleaning and supportive care, but you cannot tell the difference at home between a mild problem and a serious one. Herpesvirus and bacterial infections can scar the eye or cause adhesions if they are not treated [2][1]. Have a veterinarian check any kitten eye that is closed, crusted, or draining. If your kitten has conjunctivitis along with the closed eye, you can read more in [What Can You Do For Cat Conjunctivitis](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/what-can-you-do-for-cat-conjunctivitis). ## Related Articles - [Cat Suddenly Hiding and Not Coming Out: What to Do](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/anxiety-and-behavior-support/cat-suddenly-hiding-not-coming-out) - [What Can You Do For Cat Conjunctivitis](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/what-can-you-do-for-cat-conjunctivitis) - [Cat Lethargy: When to Worry and What to Do](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/online-vet-and-care-costs/cat-lethargy-when-to-worry) - [How to Give Your Cat Eye Drops Without a Fight](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-medication-guide/give-cat-eye-drops) - [Cat Eye Discharge: When Should You Worry?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/cat-eye-discharge-when-to-worry) - [Cat Hiding After Moving: How to Help Your Cat Adjust](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/anxiety-and-behavior-support/cat-hiding-after-moving) - [Sick Kitten Eyes: Discharge, Runny Nose, and What to Do](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/sick-kitten-eyes-discharge) - [When Do Kittens Open Their Eyes? Timeline and Care](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-care/when-do-kittens-open-eyes) - [Cat Not Opening Its Eye: Causes and What to Do](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/cat-not-opening-eye) ## References 1. [Ocular manifestations of feline herpesvirus](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11716625/). Journal of feline medicine and surgery, 2001. 2. [Symblepharon in kittens: a retrospective study of 40 kittens and 54 eyes (2002-2022)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36745097/). Journal of feline medicine and surgery, 2023. 3. [Application of superficial keratectomy and soft contact lens for the treatment of symblepharon in a cat: a case report](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33774935/). Journal of veterinary science, 2021. 4. [Modified Simple Limbal Epithelial Transplant for the Treatment of Symblepharon in Cats: A Pilot Study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40725998/). Veterinary ophthalmology, 2026. ## Further Reading - [Merck Veterinary Manual: Cat Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners) - [Cornell Feline Health Center: Health Information](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information) - [American Veterinary Medical Association: Pet Care](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare)