A Close Look at Canine Eye Problems 

Your dog's vision is one of the senses that can begin to deteriorate as he gets older. In some cases, conditions like cataracts or glaucoma lead to blindness. By keeping an eye out for symptoms and scheduling regular veterinary checkups, you can often catch these ailments before they progress.

If your dog's breed—or one of the breeds in his mix—is prone to an inherited eye disease, consider taking your dog to a veterinary ophthalmologist for a thorough eye exam once every year or two.

Know the symptoms of glaucoma

Glaucoma is caused by pressure in the eye, and frequently causes blindness. When the fluid builds up and can't escape, your dog's eye will become increasingly uncomfortable. Since glaucoma is such a serious condition, it's important to look for the telltale signs. If you notice any of the following symptoms, you should take him to your vet at once.

• A red, cloudy-looking eye, often with discharge

• Tipping his head to help release the pressure from the affected side

• Keeping his eyes closed while awake

• Pulling away when you go near him

• Depression or loss of appetite

• Rubbing or pawing at the affected eye

Treating Glaucoma

If your vet suspects glaucoma, the first thing the doctor will do is measure the pressure in the dog's eyes with a device called a tonometer. If the vet discovers that the pressure is high, then emergency treatment may be required to relieve the pressure and prevent loss of vision. Your vet may refer you to a veterinary opthalmologist.

Primary glaucoma, also called hereditary glaucoma, is a different condition and cannot be completely cured. There's nothing physically plugging the drain. Instead, the pressure in the eye builds up for other reasons. If your dog's breed is prone to this disease, have his eye pressure checked once a year, so any increase can be picked up and treated at once. Treating glaucoma can be expensive, and options may include surgery and/or medications.

Secondary glaucoma occurs when there are other problems in the eye that cause the fluid to build up. Treatment of the underlying cause, as well as the glaucoma itself, are necessary.

Check your dog's eyes for cataracts

A dog gets a cataract when something interferes with the protein of the eye's lens, causing it to become opaque or whitish in color. A cataract may affect just a small area or the whole lens, possibly causing blindness. Cataracts can't be cured by medications, but if your dog's eyesight is badly affected, your vet may refer you to a veterinary ophthalmologist to discuss surgery to remove the cataract.

Modern cataract surgery is delicate and involves a fair amount of care after the operation. However, once the cataract is removed, your dog may be able to see perfectly well again. In some cases, a vet may not recommend surgery because of the dangers the anesthetic may pose to a particularly old or at-risk animal, or because vision cannot be restored, even with surgery. The good news is that cataracts don't cause pain to your dog, so you don't have to rush into making a decision.