Did You Know?

 

 

back to index

 

Common Eye Problems

There are many different eye problems that your pet may suffer from. Using the wrong medications to treat an eye problem can cause more damage and even loss of vision. This is why we always recommend an appointment with a doctor to accurately diagnosis your pet’s problem, so we can prescribe the appropriate medications. Below you can read about the most common eye problems and symptoms. If your pet is having any of the below symptoms, please call to set up an appointment with our doctors.


Dry Eye(KCS)

Canine dry eye, technically called Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca or KCS, is a disease of the eye that occurs due to lack of tear production. Tears play an active role in keeping eyes healthy by providing the needed moisture and lubrication, removing foreign matter and debris, and serving as a source of oxygen and nutrients. Tears also have some antibacterial properties. If left untreated, dogs with KCS suffer constant irritation, which can result in scarring of the cornea, chronic infection, and possible blindness.

Symptoms

  • Accumulation of mucus in the corners of the eye, sometimes yellow to green discharge present

  • Redness/swelling

  • Dry, dull cornea

  • Squinting and rubbing the eye

  • Sealed appearance of the eye, in serve cases

  • Loss of corneal transparency

  • Possible presence of corneal ulcers



Cherry Eye (Prolapsed Nictitans Gland)

The common name for prolapsed nictitans gland is “Cherry Eye”. A “Cherry Eye” describes a swollen, displaced tear gland that normally resides within and below the third eyelid. Dogs have an extra eyelid within the lower eyelid toward the corner of the eye near the nose. The nictitans tear gland is the largest tear gland of the eye and produces some of the tear solution. When the nictitans gland becomes inflamed or infected, it swells and tends to bulge upward and roll out of its normal position. It appears as a very pink to red soft fleshy bubble. It can be painful to the dog and may even bleed if traumatized or rubbed constantly.

The cause of a “Cherry Eye” can be infection, inflammation, or breed predisposition. Breeds that tend to have this problem more frequently have a bulging eye conformation or droopy lids. These breeds include Beagles, Boston Terriers, Pugs, Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apso’s etc. If the cause is breed predilection, it is not uncommon to have both eyes affected eventually. This can happen at any age for these breeds, but it tends to happen while they are puppies.



Cataracts

A cataract is defined as any opacity (or opacities) of the lens of the eye. These opacities may be very small and interfere little with vision, or they may involve the entire lens resulting in blindness. Cataracts occur because something interferes with the normal function of lens fibers causing them to degenerate. Causes of cataracts include inflammatory diseases, hereditary factors, aging changes, toxicities, and metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus.

The lens naturally becomes thicker with age, thus appearing hazy, causing many people to mistake the change for a cataract. This is a normal aging process called nuclear or lenticular sclerosis and does not impair vision other than making focusing on close objects more difficult. However, some pets do develop cataracts and certain breeds are more prone to develop them due to a hereditary predisposition. This is especially true in the following dogs; Miniature Schnauzers, Cocker Spaniels, Poodles, Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers.



Corneal Ulcers in Dogs

The cornea is the clear, shiny membrane that makes up the surface of the eye. It is much like a clear window. To understand a corneal ulcer, you must first understand how the cornea is constructed.

The cornea is comprised of three layers. The most superficial layer is the epithelium. Actually, this layer is comprised of many, very thin layers of cells. Below the epithelium is the stroma, and the deepest layer is Descemet’s membrane. Because all of these layers are clear, it is not possible to see them with the naked eye.

There are several causes for corneal ulcers in dogs. The most common is trauma. An ulcer may result from blunt trauma, such as a dog rubbing its eye on carpet, or due to a laceration, like a cat scratch. The second most common cause is chemical burn of the cornea. This may happen when irritating shampoo or sprays get in the eye.

Less common causes of corneal ulcers include bacterial infections, viral infections, and other diseases. These may originate in the eye or develop secondary to other diseases. Examples of these diseases include epithelial dystrophy (a softening of the cornea which is inherited in breeds such as the Boxer), Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (drying of the cornea due to abnormal tear production), and diseases of the endocrine system (diabetes mellitus, hyperadrenocorticism, and hypothroidism).

Symptoms
Signs associated with corneal ulcers are:

  • Discharge that collects in the corner of the eye,

  • Rubbing the affected eye with their paw or carpet,

  • Rapid blinking

  • Sensitivity to light.


 

 

back to index