Like people, pets can suffer from various eye health issues that impact their vision and how they navigate their world. Diagnosing eye problems early can help your pet feel better sooner and, more importantly, can decrease their likelihood of permanent eye damage. Our team at Creature Comforts Veterinary Service shares five common eye diseases to help you detect them early when they affect your pet. 

#1: Conjunctivitis in pets 

Conjunctivitis, sometimes referred to as pink eye, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva (i.e., the mucus membrane that covers the front of the eyeball and lines the inside of the eyelids). Healthy conjunctiva are pink, but when conjunctivitis (i.e., tissue inflammation) occurs, they turn bright pink or red and the mucous membranes swell.

  • Causes — Conjunctivitis can be caused by allergies, foreign bodies, and a variety of bacterial or viral infections. 
  • Signs — Conjunctivitis signs include red, swollen eyes, excessive blinking, and clear, yellow, or greenish discharge. If your pet shows these signs, they need immediate veterinary care. 
  • Treatment —  Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include oral allergy medications, antibiotics and topical antibiotics, antivirals, or liquid or ointment anti-inflammatories.

#2: Cataracts in pets

The eye lens functions to allow light and images to move directly to the retina, where vision occurs. A healthy lens is clear, but appears cloudy or opaque in a pet who has developed cataracts, which can impair vision and sometimes lead to blindness. 

  • Causes — Several factors can contribute to cataract development in pets, including age, genetics, diabetes, trauma, eye infections, nutritional deficiencies, and toxin exposure. 
  • Signs — Cataracts can develop slowly or suddenly, depending on the underlying cause. Common signs include cloudy or bluish-gray eyes, difficulty seeing, behavior changes, eye redness and inflammation, and pupil reaction changes. 
  • Treatment — Without treatment, your pet’s cataracts can lead to vision loss, but with early, appropriate management, options are available to keep your pet’s eyes healthy and comfortable. Cataracts require surgery for removal, but eye drops can be another treatment option to reduce inflammation and slow cataract progression.

#3: Glaucoma in pets 

Glaucoma is a condition that involves an increase in eye pressure, which can cause significant discomfort and, left untreated, can lead to vision loss. 

  • Causes — Pets suffer from two glaucoma types:
    • Primary glaucoma — Primary glaucoma is often genetic, and commonly affects certain breeds, including basset hounds, cocker spaniels, beagles, Jack Russell terriers, shih tzus, and Siberian huskies.
    • Secondary glaucoma — Secondary glaucoma can occur with another eye disease or injury.
  • Signs — Glaucoma signs include redness, excessive tearing, a visible third eyelid and, in advanced stages, a larger-than-normal eye size.
  • Treatment —  Glaucoma is an emergency that requires immediate veterinary attention, because irreversible blindness is possible. Depending on severity, medication or surgery may be required to relieve pressure and preserve vision.

#4: Corneal ulcers in pets

Corneal ulcers refer to a wound or scratch on the surface of the cornea. Ulcers are extremely painful and can lead to vision loss if left untreated. 

  • Causes — Corneal ulcers can be caused by trauma, dry eye, or an eyelash or other object rubbing against the eye.
  • Signs — Common signs include squinting, redness, clear or yellow discharge, and light sensitivity.
  • Treatment — Immediate veterinary care is essential, because a corneal ulcer can deepen and cause the eye to rupture. Treatment often involves antibiotic or antifungal eye drops and pain medication.

#5: Dry eye in pets  

Dry eye (i.e., keratoconjunctivitis sicca [KCS], or dry eye syndrome) commonly occurs in pets whose eyes do not produce enough tears for adequate lubrication, which can lead to chronically dry, inflamed eyes. 

  • Causes —Certain pet breeds are predisposed to dry eye, but most pets develop dry eye because of an immune-mediated (i.e., auto-immune) inflammatory attack on the tear glands. Without treatment, excessive inflammation impairs or destroys the tear glands and they can no longer make tears. Other causes include underlying endocrine or immunologic conditions, congenital malformation of the tear glands, distemper virus, neurological conditions, and toxic effects of certain antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications. Dogs whose prolapsed tear glands (i.e., cherry eyes) are removed rather than surgically replaced, are also at higher risk for dry eye.
  • Signs — Dry eye signs include redness, thick, sticky discharge, squinting, and recurrent eye infections.
  • Treatment — Treatment includes artificial tears and medications that will stimulate tear production.

Eye diseases can significantly impact your pet’s quality of life, and early detection is crucial for ensuring your pet continues to see their world clearly. Keep your pet’s eyes healthy and clear by contacting our Creature Comforts Veterinary Service team to schedule a routine wellness exam that will include an eye check.