What makes a cats inner eye lids not go all the way back to the side when they open their eyes?

Question

We have 8 kitties(7 adults, which are fixed, and one rescued 81/2 week old kitten) they have all had their shots and live in a really clean enviornment, etc. so i know that they are not sick. they have no icky stuff in their eyes either so i know its not pink eye or anything like that. their eyes are not red or swollen. but this is driving me crazy because i dont have the slightest idea what it could be from. i havent noticed that they are all like that, only about 3 of the 8. has anyone else ever had this happen to their kitty? if so what was it from or what caused it? any ideas would be greatly appreciated! thank you very much!

Answer 1

If your cats are all healthy as you say consider the environment around them when you observe your cats eyes react this way.

Was the light in the room suddenly changed from darkness to light?

Was the cat sound asleep, and upon slowly waking up and looking at you did you notice the inner eyelid lazily slide only half way across the pupil?

I've had occasion to feel alarmed when walking into a room to see my sleeping cat wake up "just enough" to look at me with one eye half open and the inner lid rolled back only half-way. Upon closer inspection the cat was just sleeping very deeply and needed a few moments to re-focus.

In the case of some of our rescued kittens though, they did come to us with severe eye infections that did do some damage to their eyes.

It doesn't appear to have caused them to be blind, nothing that extreme, but their eyes are a little more squinty than others and their inner lid doesn't move as fast when light changes or upon waking up.

Answer 2

It's their inner eye lid. It could be out because they don't feel good. Or maybe the cat just woke up. It may take a little time for it to go back in but everything should be fine. Maybe ask you vet the next time you see them if it's anything to be concerned about.  And it's so great that you gave 8 kitties homes. I'm sure they enjoy it

Answer 3

Normally this is a sign that they have an infection.  Also check to see if their ears are hot and if their nose is warm and dry.

I would get them to the vet to get them checked out.

It's not serious yet, but can soon be.

Answer 4

I believe it is a condition that can be contagious to all of the cats eventually. It`s caused from inflammation. You should really take the worst cat in to be checked and tell the vet that others have this problem also.