Your pet’s eyes function to take in information about the outside world and transmit that information to the brain for visual processing. The eyes are complex organs and house multiple delicate structures prone to disease or injury that can lead to discomfort or vision impairment. Some conditions are short-term and curable, while others become chronic and require life-long management. Our Animal Care & Emergency Services team can help in both cases. Here are a few of the most common eye conditions diagnosed in dogs and cats.

Eye disease signs in pets

If you notice any change to your pet’s eyes, you should check in with your primary veterinarian or visit our emergency services team. Most eye diseases present similarly, so determining whether the problem is mild or severe is nearly impossible without a comprehensive eye examination. Signs that could indicate a problem include:

  • Squinting
  • Redness
  • Cloudy, white, or blue discoloration
  • Tearing
  • Mucoid discharge
  • Eye rubbing or scratching
  • Vision loss or impairment

Eye surface diseases in pets

Surface diseases affect the cornea, conjunctiva, and sometimes the sclera, which make up the eye’s outside wall. Collectively, these tissues protect the inside eye contents, but they can develop conditions of their own. Common diseases include:

  • Conjunctiva — Conjunctivitis (i.e., pinkeye) can be caused by viruses, bacteria, allergies, or irritants. In cats, chronic herpesvirus is a common cause.
  • Cornea — The cornea can become inflamed, scarred, or damaged from auto-immune disease, dry eye disease, injuries, ulcers, or age-related fluid buildup.
  • Sclera — Scleral inflammation (i.e., scleritis) is uncommon but usually caused by immune system factors.

Eyelid diseases in pets

Dogs, and sometimes cats, are born with congenital eyelid or eyelash abnormalities that must be treated surgically to prevent future eye damage. Common eyelid conditions include:

  • Entropion — The eyelids are too long and the excess tissue rolls inward.
  • Ectropion — The eyelids roll outward and droop.
  • Distichiasis — Extra eyelashes grow from normal follicles toward the eye.
  • Ectopic cilia — Rogue hairs grow from underneath the eyelid directly toward the eye.
  • Cherry eye — The tear-producing gland on the third eyelid pops out of place and appears as a large red lump.

Eye lens changes in pets

The most common lens changes include nuclear sclerosis, where the lens stiffens and becomes slightly cloudier, and cataracts, which cause an opaque vision obstruction. Nuclear sclerosis is considered a normal aging change and minimally affects vision. Cataracts are considered abnormal and can lead to secondary complications and must be closely monitored or surgically addressed.

Glaucoma in pets

Glaucoma is a vision-threatening disease that mostly affects dogs and occasionally cats. The problem usually starts in one eye and a few months or years later progresses and involves the other eye. In glaucoma, the eye’s normal drainage system fails, pressure builds up, and optic nerve damage, pain, and blindness result. Primary (i.e., genetic or inherited) glaucoma is treatable but not curable, and many pets lose vision. Secondary glaucoma typically affects only one eye following another eye disease, and the other eye is often spared. Glaucoma treatment aims to retain vision as long as possible, but eye removal may become necessary if the pain cannot be controlled.

Retinal diseases in pets

The retina lines the back of the eye and contains photoreceptors (i.e., cells that detect light, color, and movement, and transmit that information into signals to send to the brain). Pets can develop sudden retinal detachments, retinal bleeding, or slowly progressive retinal degeneration from various underlying causes. An immune-mediated problem may respond to treatment, and specialized surgeons can sometimes repair a damaged retina. Unfortunately,  most pets with retinal disease become blind. Unlike glaucoma, retinal diseases are painless and often do not require treatment.

Uveitis in pets

Uveitis is inflammation that occurs in the eye’s front (i.e., anterior) chamber, and can cause bleeding or pus inside the eye that damages the lens, iris, drainage system, or retina. If inflammation cannot be quickly controlled with anti-inflammatory eye drops or medications, glaucoma and blindness may develop. Causes usually stem from systemic diseases, such as cancer, infections, or an auto-immune disorder. 

Although vision is not necessary for pets to enjoy a good life quality, eye health and comfort are paramount to wellbeing. Chronic or painful eye issues require ongoing care and management by your primary veterinarian or a veterinary ophthalmologist. For sudden onset eye issues, or if your pet suffers a traumatic eye injury, contact the Animal Care & Emergency Services team for immediate assistance.