Why does my cat have light brown spots or rings in one eye? Is it serious?

It is not uncommon for cats to develop brown or black spots on the iris. A pigmented area on the iris can be benign or malignant, and differentiating them is sometimes difficult. My guess is that these spots are what we call iris nevus. These are benign (like freckles). Since she has so many, this would be called iris melanosis. Iris melanosis is classified as benign, but in time, it may progress to a malignant melanoma. Although melanomas are rare in cats, the eye is the most common site for it to show up. The first hint that this could be melanoma is rapid growth. If you know the spot(s) is getting larger quickly, that is a warning sign. If the shape of the pupil has become deformed as it dilates and constricts, that is another potential red flag. I suggest you have Dixie examined by your vet to get a diagnosis. She needs a thorough exam with a ophthalmoscope. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

There are a couple of possibilities here for the changes to Creo's iris. One is iris atrophy, which is a normal aging change. This can often result in pigment change and a "moth-eaten" appearance to the iris or an irregular iris border. Another would be a uveal cyst, which is a darkly pigmented circular lesion that can be attached to the iris. Both of these are generally benign. If you notice any changes in Creo's vision, changes to the eye, or signs of pain (squinting, redness, swelling, etc.), have him re-evaluated by your vet just to be safe.

That new pigment around Butter’s pupil is concerning for inflammation of the iris or melanoma. Cats can get uveitis (which is basically inflammation of the internal eye structures) for many different reasons. Hyperthyroidism can also sometimes change the pigment. Melanoma is a cancer that can affect the eye of a cat at any age. I recommend to make an appointment with your veterinarian. That will at least get you started on the right path. Fingers crossed it’s nothing serious! Please post again with any further questions.

I would be concerned that Ball might have inflammation in his eye that has caused the color change to his iris - this condition is known as anterior uveitis and can have many potential underlying causes. Growths on the iris might be another possibility. I'd recommend having his eyes examined by your vet. They may want to check the eye pressure.

It could be iris melanoma but there is no way to know just by looking at a photo. You should have a veterinary ophthalmologist check the eye if you are really worried. At Cali's age I highly doubt it is melanoma but it is possible.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Emma. I would recommend that she has her eye evaluated by her veterinarian. Hopefully it is just a normal pigment change, but cats can develop a type of cancer known as melanoma in the eye. You would want this diagnosed as soon as possible. I hope this information helps you and Emma!

Hello. I do not think putting the medication in the eye months ago is causing this situation with Lily now, but you definitely need to have this checked out by your veterinarian. A color change can indicate the presence of uveitis, a general term used to describe inflammation in certain parts of the eye. There are several possible causes or underlying diseases that can cause this, but only a thorough ophthalmologic exam will diagnose the problem. I hope you can have her seen soon. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.