Dog Eye Problems: How to Support Your Pet’s Vision

By S G February 25, 2022 Dog Diseases, Dog Health, Eye Health, Supplements for Dogs, Vision Support 0 Comments

Dog eye problems, if unaddressed, can become quite traumatic, both for the pet and their owner. No dog enjoys dealing with eye troubles, ranging from redness, inflammation and irritation to discharge and impaired vision.

Dog owners should be aware of the signs of common eye issues and they should get their pets checked by a veterinarian regularly.

Before we begin, though, I’d want to bring your attention to something noteworthy. Looking into your pet’s eyes releases oxytocin, a hormone that has been shown to strengthen your relationship with them. But that is not the only reason to look into your dog’s eyes. You have to be aware of some changes.

A medical visit may be necessary if your pet’s eyes have become red or clouded or if you notice that they’re scratching or pawing at their eyes or otherwise displaying indications of discomfort around their eyes.

Dogs can suffer from glaucoma, conjunctivitis, dry eyes, cataracts and a variety of other eye disorders. A dog’s breed is typically a factor in determining which eye problems are more common than others.

So let’s dive deeper into the subject and examine the currently available information on the most frequent dog eye disorders and the best practices to help keep your pet’s vision in top shape.

Table of Contents

How Do Dogs’ Eyes Work?
How Well Do Dogs See?
What Is Canine Eye Disease?
What Should You Do if Your Pet Has Eye Problems?
Figuring out What’s Causing the Symptoms
Treatment for Dog Eye Problems
Preventing Eye Problems in Dogs
The Takeaway
Nutrition Strength Eye Care for Dogs

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How Do Dogs’ Eyes Work?

A basic understanding of how dogs’ eyes work will help you better grasp their eye problems. A dog’s eyes operate similarly to a camera. The pupil allows light to enter, while the iris regulates the quantity of light that may pass through it.

In the retina, which contains color-sensitive cones and motion- and light-sensitive rods, electrical impulses are converted from light by the cornea and lens. The optic nerve carries these impulses from the cones and rods to the brain and creates a picture.

Human eyes contain three types of cones, but dogs only have two. As a result, dogs cannot perceive as many colors as humans. The gel-like vitreous fluid filling the eyeball and giving it form is not found in canine eyes.

There is a thin whitish-pink tissue covering the third eyelid of canine eyes, which is distinct from human eyes in that it shields the eye. When light shines on a dog’s eyes, the tapetum lucidum, a reflective line on the back of the retina, glows. It’s also what gives them the ability to see in dimly-lit conditions.

Located above the optic nerve, a horizontal band of rods and cones known as the visual streak provides the most acceptable vision. Studying the visual streaks of various breeds suggests that they experience the world in distinct ways.

The streak in canines with long heads, like wolves, is broad and equally dispersed. As a breed’s head shortens, the streak becomes thinner (more round). Similar to humans, pugs have a “centralis,” a limited region of clear eyesight. Variations in visual streak can be found even among breeds.

How Well Do Dogs See?

Dogs are well-suited to hunting in various lighting settings because of these characteristics. The tapetum lucidum and the high rod-to-cone ratio let dogs see better at night than humans because of the poor light sensitivity of their retinas.

Dogs’ superior ability to perceive motion and forms is partly due to their retinas, which are rod-dense. Dogs have a broader view range than humans because their eyes are angled slightly to the side.

As in a German Shepherd, a dog with a wide field of vision and a comprehensive visual streak may view the whole horizon at once (instead of having to scan the eyes back and forth as people do).

Dogs don’t have to have good near eyesight because of their excellent senses of smell and hearing. It appears that short-nosed dogs, who have a human-like area centralis, can see well up-close.

They may be less effective hunters because of the centralis region, but they may be better cuddle buddies because of it. The sharpness of eyesight is also lessened overall.

What Is Canine Eye Disease?

Eye disorders in dogs can be caused by various factors, including hereditary, age-related, immune-mediated, metabolic, or viral ailments, as well as post-traumatic damage to the eye, its lids, or the surrounding tissue. Sometimes, these conditions might cause your dog’s regular activities and quality of life to be hindered by discomfort and/or eyesight loss.

Dogs can develop eye problems at any age. Ocular issues can occur in any dog, regardless of the breed’s sensitivity to particular disorders. Early diagnosis and taking eye supplements for dogs are critical for maintaining a dog’s eyes’ comfort, appearance and ability to see.

Pink Eye

Conjunctivitis (the medical term for pink eye) is one of the dogs’ most frequent eye disorders, yet many dog owners are unaware of this. Pink eye in dogs is characterized by the following symptoms:

Inflammation of the blood vessels in the eyes.
The eye and surrounding soft tissue are inflamed.
Mucus secreted from the eyelids.

Your dog will need to see a veterinarian and receive antibiotic eye drops to treat pink eye caused by a bacterial infection. Like in people, dogs are susceptible to the same virus that causes pink eye: Adenovirus.

This form of pink eye can be relieved by your veterinarian, but you must take the proper precautions to keep this type of pink eye under control since it can infect everyone in your family, even children.

A saline eyewash may be necessary for some situations if pink eye is caused by an allergic response to pollen, cigarette smoke, or other irritating substances.

Damaged Cornea

Dogs get foreign objects in their eyes much as people do. Even if your dog is a fan of romping around in the yard, grass and dirt might be a problem. When your dog scratches his eyes to relieve discomfort, he runs the risk of damaging the cornea. The following are symptoms of a corneal ulcer or injury in your dog:

Inflammation of the blood vessels in the eyes.
Bruising caused by excessive tears.
Pawing at the eye that is afflicted.

Take your dog to the vet as soon as you believe it has an ocular injury. Your veterinarian can assess the eye damage and advise avoiding infection in the future.

Dry Eye

It’s also called keratoconjunctivitis sicca when the tears don’t have enough oil in them. Because of this, it is difficult for the canine eye to naturally remove any dust and dirt, resulting in discomfort. Dry eyes in dogs, if left untreated, can develop corneal ulcers and a variety of scratches in the eye’s structures.

Canine dry eye symptoms include the following:

Blinking excessively.
Inflammation of the blood vessels in the eyes.
Squinting.
Pawing at the eyeballs.

Dry eye is frequently a straightforward problem to solve. Make an appointment with your veterinarian if your dog shows any of the following symptoms, and inquire if artificial tears or saline drops will help.

Lump on the Eyelid

One of the most well-known eye diseases in dogs is the development of growths or lumps on the upper or lower eyelid. All nodes on your dog should be examined by a veterinarian, even if they don’t seem to harm him.

When a mass is suspected of being malignant, your veterinarian may perform a biopsy or a tiny needle aspiration to examine the tissue under a microscope.

Glaucoma

Canine glaucoma can develop if fluid from your dog’s eyes does not drain correctly, causing high pressure in the eye, ocular cavity, and surrounding tissues. If left untreated, this eye problem can cause significant discomfort for your pup, as well as eventual blindness.

The following are signs of canine glaucoma:

Weeping eyes.
Redness.
The whites of the eyes, the iris, and/or the pupil are all cloudy.
Pupils that have been dilated.
Eyeballs bursting out of their sockets.

With an ophthalmic solution and additional drugs, canine glaucoma’s symptoms can be reduced. Your veterinarian may prescribe surgery when canine glaucoma progresses to an advanced stage, although the process is relatively easy and recuperation time is short.

Your dog’s routine veterinarian may recommend you to a veterinary ophthalmologist if they suspect advanced glaucoma in your dog. It’s important to remember that this sort of physician has more experience with dog eyes than anybody else, which implies a faster resolution and recovery for your pet.

Cataracts

Senior dogs frequently suffer from cataracts. Dog cataracts can impair your pet’s vision and potentially cause blindness, depending on the severity of the condition. Cataracts in dogs can be spotted by several symptoms, including:

Eyes that are a little foggy.
Inflammation of the eye.
The eyes and the surrounding area are inflamed.
Loss of vision necessitates the development of new habits.

Cataract surgery is the only long-term solution for dogs with eye irritation caused by cataracts. As a result, most canine cataracts are not severe enough to impair the dog’s ability to see.

What Should You Do if Your Pet Has Eye Problems?

Be aware of your pet’s gaze. Your dog’s eyes should be examined frequently, especially if they’re obscured by hair. During routine check-ups, ask your veterinarian to inspect the health of your pet’s eyes as well.
On the other hand, keep facial hair under control. Long strands may either mask or exacerbate problems when it comes to hair.
Keep your dog’s eyes clean. Be careful with any leaking or build-up, and use water to clear it up.
Prevent blind dogs from suffering eye damage. Keep sharp things away from your dog if they cannot see well enough to avoid accidents. Rearranging your present furniture or acquiring new furniture should also be avoided.
A veterinarian should always be consulted before administering any medications to your pet. Before going to the veterinarian, can you treat your pet’s eyes? The short answer is no. Ointments and contact solutions should be avoided since they might harm the eyes.
Have proper eye care for dogs. Take a close look for any indications of discomfort. Squinting or keeping your eye shut is a sign of eye discomfort and should be treated as such.

Figuring out What’s Causing the Symptoms

When your dog begins to exhibit symptoms, a set of tests is performed to identify the ailment and decide the most effective course of treatment.

Test for tears by Schirmer. This test evaluates the number of tears secreted by your dog. One minute of holding thin paper strips beneath the eyelids is required for this procedure to be successful.
These abnormalities are found on the eye’s surface using a fluorescein stain. Tear quality and drainage can also be assessed using this method. Your veterinarian will use a special blue light to check your pet’s eyes after applying a green stain to each one.
Ocular pressure can fluctuate due to various eye conditions in dogs, which can cause discomfort and consequences. This test is significant because ocular pressure can be measured. A pressure measurement instrument needs a slight touch on the eyelid to complete this procedure. Numbing eye drops help keep your dog calm and relaxed during the process.

A variety of additional tests, like blood work or bacterial culture examinations, may be advised based on your dog’s symptoms and health status.

Treatment for Dog Eye Problems

The physical exam and diagnostic testing results will be used to determine the best course of action. Here are a few typical remedies:

Drops of antibiotics. These are used to treat a wide range of canine eye problems, including those that put the eye in danger of catching something else (such as scratches and ulcers).
For eye discomfort or irritation, use eye drops. Inflammation may cause harm, and these can alleviate it and prevent it.
Tears fabricated in a lab. Several ailments, including dry eye, may be alleviated by using them.
Medicines used orally. Oral drugs may be suggested if your dog is in many discomforts or has a disease that might benefit from whole-body therapy. You can take specific eye vitamins for dogs to maintain good vision.
Follow-up. Eye disorders require a follow-up appointment to ensure that the healing process is proceeding according to plan.

Many of the drugs mentioned above as “drops” for dogs are also available as ointments. It’s up to your veterinarian to assist you in deciding which type is best for your pet.

Preventing Eye Problems in Dogs

All eye issues can’t be prevented, unfortunately. There are, however, certain things you can do to lessen your dog’s chances of being a victim:

Make sure your dog isn’t running through bushes with sharp branches, which might injure its eyes.
As quickly as feasible, address any eye issues. Eye diseases can rapidly develop if left untreated. Treating your dog as soon as possible may help alleviate discomfort and avoid further difficulties.
Make sure to go to your doctor for regular checks. Early detection of an issue might save you a lot of suffering in the long run if you have a wellness check-up every few years.

The Takeaway

Keep an eye out for any eye injury or pain symptoms, and don’t wait until it’s too late to obtain treatment. It’s always a good idea to raise any concerns about your pet’s eye health to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Some illnesses, like glaucoma or deep ulcers, require more extensive treatment, but the vast majority of eye issues we see are straightforward to cure and typically heal rapidly. Your dog should be able to return to his or her usual self in no time if therapy is administered promptly.

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A complete formula for dogs of all ages, our premium eye supplements for dogs contain vitamins and minerals to help dogs enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle by:

Using specially selected ingredients which support your dog’s eyesight.
Providing optimal nutrition, which is needed to help maintain the eye structure, especially in dogs with ocular conditions.
Supplying quality ingredients, including lutein and zeaxanthin, which promote healthy dog eyes.
Delivering vitamin C, vitamin E and bilberry which support the eye tissue.
Supplying antioxidants for dogs that support eye health.

Our eye supplements for dogs are delivered directly to the stomach for absorption straight into the bloodstream. Suitable for all tastes, Nutrition Strength’s premium supplements promote pure and effective eye care, just for dogs.

Used daily, our eye vitamins for dogs support overall health in canines and are formulated to promote your pet’s long-term active and healthy lifestyle.

Image source: Wikimedia / AWeith.