Many dogs develop canine eye problems. Conjunctivitis, dry eye, and dog cataracts are a few of the most common dog eye problems. Some dog breeds are prone to certain eye problems. A common sign of dog cataracts is the appearance of opaque spots on the lens of the eye. Large cataracts or cataracts invading the dog’s field of vision can block a dog’s vision. Late onset cataracts typically develop in the late adulthood of the dog, but younger dogs can have cataracts due to genetic causes.
Glaucoma is and eye condition that can lead to blindness. Glaucoma can cause poor vision, eye cloudiness, redness, and a dilated pupil that is not responsive to light.
Like people, dogs can get conjunctivitis or pink eye. Conjunctivitis and dogs is often caused by allergies. The symptoms of conjunctivitis are redness, itchiness, and tearing eyes.
A condition called dry eye can cause the eyes not to produce enough tears. Pugs and Shih Tzus are to dog breeds that are prone to dry eye. Dry eye can be a serious canine eye problem especially for these breeds.
Bulldogs, Cocker Spaniels, and Poodles are prone to an eye condition called cherry eye. Cherry eye is a prolapsed gland of the third eyelid.
An inward folding of an eyelid which caused the eyelashes and hair on the eyelid to rub against the eye is called entropion. This condition is most common in Cocker Spaniels, Shar Pei, Rottweilers, and Labrador Retrievers.
Ectopic cilia is a condition that causes an eyelash to grow abnormally and cause an ulcer on the cornea of the eye. Another condition that affects eyelashes is distichiasis which causes the eyelashes to grow along the eyelid too close to the eye. Eye lashes with abnormal growth or placement on the eyelids cause irritation to the eye.
Abscesses on the eyelid can be caused by condition known as puppy strangles or puppy pyoderma. A genetic condition that causes hairy skin to be abnormally placed on the eye is called dermoid. The hype can become irritated by the hairy skin and develop ulcers.
First aid for something in the dog’s eye is to flush the eye with sterile saline. A veterinarian should be notified if the dog owner notices any changes in the dog’s eyes including soreness, swelling, sores on the eyelid or around the eye, or inflammation.
