Those lovely puppy dog eyes let them see and explore the world around them; these collect light waves and are interpreted by the brain as imagery. And because of this, your pet’s vision should be preserved and any injury or ailment treated as soon as possible. Just like human vision problems , Eye problems in our pups shoudl be every dog owner’s priority. Here are top dog eye problems that every owner should watch out for.

Blepharospasm

This eye condition is characterized by rapid blinking because of involuntary contractions of the muscle that controls the eyelid. The eyelids appear red, swollen, and may close because of severe swelling. The condition is very itchy, so your pet will use their paws to rub their eyes and face. The tissues surrounding the eyes can become damaged due to scratching.  In severe conditions, crusting or flaking of the eye area may be present.

Common causes of blepharospasm include allergies, infections, and entropion. Usually, this condition may be triggered by mange, poor nutrition, endocrine problems, and tumors.

Treating blepharospasm includes the application of warm compress over the affected area. Saline drops can help to remove any discharge coming from the eyes. Treatment usually depends on any underlying condition.

Cataracts

The clear lenses in the middle of the eyes can become cloudy, especially in senior dogs. These dark areas are cataracts, and these may prevent the light from moving towards the back of the eye. If left untreated, your dog could suffer from poor vision, eye pressure problems and eventually, blindness.

A condition called lens luxation may happen together with cataracts, and this causes the lens to contract and soon, crack. If you suspect that your dog has cataracts, consult a vet. He may recommend surgery if the condition affects your pet’s vision.

Cherry Eye

Dogs have unique eye structures. It has three eyelids, with two visible and another eyelid hidden and is located at the inner corner of his eyes. This structure has tear glands and ligaments, and if there is a congenital weakness, the lid pops out and looks like a small cherry. One or both eyes may be affected by a Cherry Eye.

Your pet’s vet can surgically remove the cherry eye and restore the position of the third eyelid. An ophthalmologist may be needed if the cherry eye condition is more complicated. Cherry eye may also come back after some time.

Conjunctivitis

Also called pink eye, this is the inflammation of the conjunctiva, the membrane found inside the eyelids. Symptoms of conjunctivitis include red or irritated conjunctiva, pain, and damage to the layer.

The most common causes of conjunctivitis include eyelashes that grow inwards, allergies, and infections (viral or bacterial). Treatment of conjunctivitis depends on the cause. OTC eyewash can remove irritants, and your vet may prescribe antibiotics to treat eye infections.

Corneal And Scleral Wounds

The delicate tissues of the cornea and sclera can get damaged when your dog does his daily activities. Small irritants like dust, smoke, dirt, and even small branches can scratch their eyes, and these cause injuries.

Anatomical problems of the eyes, the presence of dry eyes and fighting with other animals can also lead to wounds of the sclera and cornea. Any injury in the eye can make dogs rub their eyes and squint. There is redness, tearing, and inflammation of the eyes after injury.

Treatment depends on the severity of the condition. A vet may prescribe antibiotics to deal with infections. He may also surgically repair severe corneal and scleral wounds. After surgery, your dog may need to wear a protective collar known as the Elizabethan collar to keep them from scratching their eyes.

Entropion

Entropion is a condition wherein the eyelids roll inwards. This condition is painful because the eyelids rub against the eye surface. The irritation can lead to tearing, squinting, and in severe cases, damage to the sclera, eyelids, and cornea.

Some dogs are more susceptible to entropion due to an underlying health condition. Vets usually surgically repair the eyelids to return these to their normal position. Surgical procedures can also permanently correct the eyelids.

Glaucoma

There is a steady pressure inside the eye, and this is maintained by adequate drainage and production of the fluid inside the organ. When the pressure inside the eye becomes unbalanced, glaucoma occurs. Symptoms of glaucoma include pain, redness, tearing, cloudiness, cherry eyes, and dilation of the pupils. In rare cases, swollen eyes may happen.

Glaucoma should be treated right away to prevent blindness. Your vet may prescribe oral and topical medications to improve fluid drainage and production and to reduce inflammation.

KCS Or Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca

This condition is also called dry eye syndrome. It happens when dogs have problems with the aqueous lining in the eyes. Symptoms include severe dryness of the eye surface and lining. The root cause of KCS includes dry nose, systemic diseases, drug toxicities, and neurogenic conditions.

KCS mostly affects dog breeds like cocker spaniels, bulldogs, Lhasa apsos, terriers, and Shih-Tzus. You can tell that a dog has excessive dry eyes when there is pus discharge coming from the eyes and ulceration of the corneas. When left untreated, KCS can lead to blindness.

A vet can diagnose the dryness of your dog’s eyes using a Schirmer test. Another test includes the application of a fluorescent stain to identify the details of the eye. Culture of the pus or discharge may also be done to determine if the cause is bacterial.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Progressive retinal atrophy or PRA is a condition that may be difficult to identify. This condition suddenly causes blindness. Dogs with PRA have a clear vision and normal-looking eyes. The dog’s vision starts to deteriorate, as evidenced by night vision problems.

You can tell that your dog is suffering from PRA when you see him bump into things or may have trouble obeying tricks using hand signals which he was able to before. Unfortunately, the dog’s vision will deteriorate rapidly or slowly. There is no known treatment for progressive retinal atrophy.