Eye Disorders

There are many possible ways in a which a dog's eyes can look clouded. Often, you are seeing the cloudiness in the lens of the eye – an elastic, transparent structure that lies behind the iris (the pigmented part of the eye) and the pupil (the opening in the center of the eye). Tiny muscle fibers inside the eye contract and relax to makes the lens change thickness and shape; these movements help the dog change focus. As dogs age, certain changes cause the lens to turn white and become visible. When this ordinarily transparent structure develops a cloudy spot or section, the dog's vision is compromised.

A dog’s world isn’t all black, gray, and white. Much like a colorblind person, dogs can see color, but some colors like red and green are not distinct to a dog.

Cataracts make the lens of the eye opaque or cloudy, which gradually reduces vision to the point of blindness. In their early stages, cataracts cause blurring and distortion of vision, but they are invisible to the naked eye. By the time most owners notice them, cataracts involve more than 60 percent of the dog's eye. Cataracts often accompany other illnesses, such as diabetes and hypothyroidism (low thyroid function). Surgery performed by a veterinary ophthalmologist is the only treatment considered effective in conventional veterinary medicine – and is indicated only in cases where the cataracts are not a result of a secondary disease such as diabetes.

This Labrador has acquired entropion, secondary to dehydration and renal disease. It should resolve somewhat once he is rehydrated.üThis dog has severe, 360-degree entropion (meaning the eye is being touched by the upper and lower eyelids, and is irritated from all sides). Notice the tearing and matting around the eye from irritation, as well as the prominence of the third eyelid, which has elevated in order to protect the cornea.üHere is the same dog is after surgical repair for his severe entropion. The eye is clear and bright, without evidence of matting or squinting. (The greenish-yellow color is fluorescein eye stain. This is a test that uses a dye and a blue light to detect foreign bodies or damage to the cornea. Happily, this dog had neither!)