Checking your dog's eyes should be part of their grooming routine. Their eyes should be clear, moist, bright and responsive to light.

Dog Eye Care

Dogs' vision differs from humans' - they see primarily red and green hues, have better night vision and a wider field of view - but like humans, they can suffer from a range of eye problems.

Without proper care and treatment, these can affect your dog's quality of life or even lead to blindness. However, by remaining vigilant, you can deal with problems early before they cause permanent damage.

What causes eye problems in dogs?

Just like humans, dogs can suffer from bacterial or viral infections. The surface of the eyes can also be damaged by foreign objects, especially if they like to roll and run in the bush while out for walks.

Some dog breeds are more prone to eye problems than others, and if you have a long-haired dog, it can also cause irritation if the hair is not trimmed and kept away from the eyes.

Dogs' vision also generally deteriorates as they age.

There are many conditions that can affect your dog’s vision:

• Conjunctivitis
• cataract
• glaucoma
• corneal ulcer
• progressive retinal atrophy
• Not enough tears
• diabetes
• Entropion and ectropion of eyelids
• Inheritance conditions

Here are some of the most common situations:

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is one of the most common eye infections in dogs. Additionally, also known as pink eye, it can be caused by debris within the eye (such as eyelashes, bacterial or viral infection, allergies, or insufficient natural tear production). It can cause inflammation and discharge in the eyes. This condition causes itching and pain.

Conjunctivitis can resolve on its own or by cleaning your eyes with recommended eyewash solutions, but if that doesn't help, you may need to see your veterinarian for further treatment.

Recurrent conjunctivitis may mean your dog has "dry eye syndrome." This is a painful condition that can lead to permanent blindness. If your dog appears to have conjunctivitis, it is important to see your veterinarian as early treatment is crucial.

cataract

Cataracts are another common cause of deterioration in dogs' vision, especially as they age. You may notice that one or both of their eyes become cloudier. It is usually painless but may cause blindness.

glaucoma

Glaucoma can be a very painful condition for your dog and requires immediate treatment. It is caused by high pressure in the eyeball and can cause permanent damage if not intervened promptly. You may see a haze over your eyes, or they may appear blue. The whites of the eyes may appear red and watery, and your dog may squint or need more sleep.

corneal ulcer

Corneal ulcers are a bit like the clear part of the eye—deep scratches on the cornea. It is important to treat it as soon as possible because if left untreated, the scratch can become deeper and affect other parts of the eyeball. Certain breeds of dogs, such as those with bulging eyes, are more susceptible to damage to the cornea because they have less protection.

What do healthy eyes look like?

A healthy dog's eyes should be clean, bright, and free of any dirt or debris. There should be no discharge or redness visible around the eyes, and the white areas should be white, not red or yellow.

Taking care of your dog's eyes should be part of their grooming routine. Their eyes should be clear, moist, bright, and responsive to light. Students should be equal in size.

Make sure all hair is kept away from your dog's eyes and use sterile eyewash to remove any mucus.

If your dog squints or closes their eyes, rubs or paws at them, or you see inflammation or discharge, this could be a sign that something is wrong with them

Other signs to watch out for:

• Darkness of eye surface
• Debris or material in or near the eye
• Turbidity
• There are tear stains around the eyes
• any type of discharge