If your cat has something in his eye, hold his head steady and his eye open, and try to wash it out with tepid water or eyewash. Or, you can remove a foreign particle with a cotton swab. If you can’t get it out or if it penetrates the eye or lid, get the cat to a vet promptly. If your cat is blinking, squinting, avoiding bright light or his eyes are tearing excessively, he may have an irritation or injury to the eye surface. If you cannot see any injury, try an eyewash to cleanse any possible irritant. If you see an injury or if there is no visible injury but the problem persists, take your cat to the vet.

After a traumatic incident, different-sized pupils usually indicate a serious eye or brain trauma. Your cat will need immediate veterinary care to save the eye or, if there is bleeding or swelling in the brain, to save his life.