Dog Eye Problems: Every Pet Parent Should Know

Dog eye issues are common. However, they are usually only a minor annoyance. Specific eye infections in dogs, on the other hand, will be more severe and necessitate veterinarian intervention, including surgery.

Eye illness is one of the most common hereditary disorders in dogs, and it is also the most well-studied.

What Are the Most Affected Eye Parts?

The following components of a dog’s eye are the most affected:

• The cornea is a kind of corneum (the clear part at the front of the eye)
• Eyelids
• The sclera (the white part of the eye) is a thin layer of tissue covering the white part of the eye.
• The lens (transparent tissue behind the pupil)
• Retina 

What Are the Most Common Dog Eye Problems?

When your dog starts to have health difficulties due to their age, it’s never pleasant, but identifying the signals early on may dramatically lessen the possibility of these issues becoming more serious concerns. 

However, various ocular problems can emerge at any moment in a dog’s life, so we should have concerns for them. Furthermore, all dog breeds are susceptible to hereditary blindness and other eye problems.

Injuries, infections, pressure changes, eyelash/eyelid disorders, and even diseases in another body region, such as diabetes, can all impact your dog’s eyes.

Dog eye problems can manifest themselves in several different ways. They should always be seriously addressed to avoid visual loss. Monkoodog provides an overview of the most frequent dog eye problems and their symptoms.

Dogs’ eye issues are somewhat prevalent. While some are minor and may be treated at home, others are more significant and risk your dog’s vision.

Some of the Typical Dog Eye Problems Are:

1.  Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis, sometimes known as pink eye, is an infection that causes redness, inflammation, and an abundance of goopy eye muck. 

What Causes Conjunctivitis?

Bacteria or viruses can cause Conjunctivitis, but allergic responses and irritating foreign elements such as dirt or dust can also cause comparable symptoms.

What Are the Symptoms of Conjunctivitis?

• Eye discharge can be green or yellow.
• Squinting or closing one’s eyes
• Because it is unpleasant or irritating, you rub your eye.
• Although the whites of the eyes may be bloodshot, the cornea is usually clean.

2.  Cherry Eye

Cherry eye is one of the most frequent dog eye problems. Your dog has three eyelids, but you only have two. The third eyelid, which is usually unseen, is in the inner corner of the eye. 

What Causes Cherry Eyes in Dogs?

The ligaments that maintain the tear-producing gland within the eyelid grow weak in particular dogs. The gland bursts out of its place when these ligaments become loose, resembling a red cherry stuck in the corner of the eye.

What Are the Symptoms of Cherry Eyes in Dogs?

1. Tear gland enlargement and drooping third eyelid
2. The appearance of an oval lump will occur.
3. The bulge will have a crimson hue to it.
4. If the bulge is massaged, it might become uncomfortable and unpleasant.
5. The dog may squint if uncomfortable.
6. Due to a lack of lubricant, the eye might become dry.
7. Swelling around the eye is possible.
8. In case of infection, the puss may discharge. 

Cherry eye is usually a hereditary condition that requires surgery to correct.

3. Dry Eye

Dry eye, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), is a dog eye problem in which your dog’s tear glands produce more minor tears than they should. 

Tears play a crucial role in removing foreign materials from the eye’s surface, and dry eyes can lead to corneal scrapes, ulcers, and other issues. 

Following Are Signs That Your Dog May Be Suffering from Canine Dry Eye:

• Blinking too much
• Redness in the eyes
• Squinting
• The slapping of the eyes

While surgery may be necessary for difficult situations, you may regularly relieve dry eye symptoms by using an artificial tear solution.

4. Glaucoma

Glaucoma is another dog eye problem that develops when the pressure inside the eye rises, causing damage to the eye’s structures. 

The Glaucoma is a painful disease with high intraocular (within the eyes) pressure. It might be a veterinary emergency because it can result in irreversible optic nerve damage and visual loss.

What Are the Symptoms of Glaucoma?

1. The eye has a watery discharge.
2. Pain in the eyes (eye rubbing or turning away when being pet)
3. An increase in the size of the eyeball (whites of the eye turn red)
4. Eyes have a cloudy, blue look.
5. A pupil does not respond to light. 
6. Appetite loss.
7. Lethargy
8. inflammation of the eye

5. Cataracts

Cataracts are a prevalent dog eye problem. Depending on their severity, dog cataracts can impair your dog’s vision and potentially cause blindness. 

What Are the Symptoms of Cataracts?

• Dog cataracts have a multitude of symptoms, including:
• Cloudy eyes
• Inflammation of the eyes
• Irritation of the eyes and the area surrounding them

As a result of their vision loss, they have to adopt new routines.

While specific canine eye treatments can help reduce inflammation in dogs with cataracts, the only long-term solution is surgery. Fortunately, most cataracts are minor and only impact a dog’s eyesight to a limited extent.