Common dog eye problems you should be aware of

Vision is precious to dogs just like it is to people. Unfortunately, like us, dogs can experience eye issues that affect their vision. It’s important to understand these conditions so you can contact your vet for advice and avoid long-term dog eye problems.

Here are 8 common dog eye problems you should be aware of: 

Conjunctivitis

One of the most common eye infections in dogs is conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye. Symptoms of conjunctivitis in dogs are similar to humans and include redness, inflammation and eye discharge. It can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection or an allergic reaction to smoke, pollen, perfume or other irritants. Conjunctivitis can be highly contagious to humans, so you should visit your vet for treatment options. Until it clears up, limit contact with your dog and wash your hands regularly.

Cherry Eye

Dogs have three eyelids, with the third located in the inner corner of their eye. Cherry eye occurs when this third eyelid prolapses out after it becomes inflamed, resembling a red cherry. With puppies under the age of one and certain dog breeds being most susceptible. Surgery is usually needed to repair cherry eye in dogs, so it is important to consult your vet.

Cataracts

Cataracts are clouding of the eye lens, which is progressively more common as dogs get older. While most cataracts are small and only partially impede dogs’ vision, some can cause blindness, so contact your vet immediately if you’re noticing signs. Cataracts may also make the eye more prone to developing inflammation and conditions like glaucoma. Surgery is the only long-term treatment, which involves your vet removing the damaged lens and replacing it with an artificial one. 

Glaucoma

Glaucoma occurs when your dog’s eye fluid doesn’t drain correctly, causing it to build up and cause painful pressure in and around the eye. Symptoms of glaucoma in dogs include pain, redness, cloudiness, eye tearing or bulging and dilated pupils. Causes range from eye inflammation, tumours or trauma.. Depending on the severity of your dog’s glaucoma, your vet may recommend eye surgery or medication to improve fluid drainage and alleviate pain.

Entropion

Entropion is a condition that involves a dog’s upper or lower eyelid folding inward, causing the eyelashes or hairs on the outside of the eyelid to rub against the cornea. This can lead to eye irritation, infection or other damage, including corneal scarring. Symptoms of entropion include redness, squinting and excessive tearing. Entropion is usually caused by genetics and is more common in certain breeds, especially short-nosed and giant breeds. Contact your vet if you suspect your dog has entropion, and they will treat it using antibiotics, artificial tears, temporary stitches, contact lenses to protect the cornea or entropion surgery. 

Dry Eye

Dry eye in dogs arises when their tear ducts aren’t generating enough tears to lubricate the eyes and clear them of dust and debris. It is also called keratoconjunctivitis sicca, and symptoms include redness, squinting, excessive blinking, gunky discharge and eye pawing. Ensure you consult your vet if you notice these signs, as dry eye in dogs can result in corneal ulcers. They may suggest using artificial tears and immunomodulating drops.      

Corneal Ulcers

Corneal ulcers in dogs are an injury to their eye’s outer layer, with signs including redness, squinting, blinking, tearing and eye rubbing. These ulcers can be caused by trauma or chronic dry eyes. If not properly treated, dog corneal ulcers can worsen and get bigger. Visit your vet so they can determine the necessary treatment, which may include ointment, antibiotic drops or eye surgery. 

Eyelid Lump

Lumps on a dog’s eyelid are one of the easiest dog eye problems to recognise and can be caused by eyelid cysts or benign tumours. Dogs usually aren’t affected by these lumps and won’t display other symptoms, but all eyelid growths should be checked by a vet to ensure they aren’t cancerous and to determine whether they require surgical removal.

Keep an eye out for any symptoms of eye problems in your dog and contact your vet if you notice any issues. If you don’t contact your vet so they can diagnose and treat the condition appropriately, your dog may suffer long-term vision issues and potentially blindness, and underlying health concerns may go unnoticed and untreated.

If you suspect that your dog has eye problems, give us a call at (03) 9842 5330 to get advice from one of our experienced vets.