December 28, 2011
Posted in Pet Health, Pet Meds

Many owners notice their dog's eyes getting cloudy as they age, or they may observe that their pooch is walking into things or not seeing as well. Cloudy eyes are often assumed by owners to be cataracts, but they usually are not. The cloudiness is called nuclear sclerosis, and doesn't usually affect vision.

However, dogs may be suffering from cataracts in addition, or may have glaucoma or an infection if something seems to be off with its peepers. If you suspect your dog has cataracts, it is important to know a bit about them. The lens in the eye helps light focus on the retina, and a cataract is any alteration in the lens that causes a loss of transparency and causes the light to scatter, making it difficult to see. The loss of transparency may make a dog's vision blurry, or it may be totally opaque, according to the news source. Cataracts can be caused by genetic makeup, diabetes, age, an accident and an inflammation of the eye. Certain breeds, such as cocker spaniels, Bichon Frises, poodles, Boston terriers, Labs and golden retrievers, as well as a handful of others, experience cataracts more often than others. While dogs' eyes tend to get cloudy with age, cataracts tend to develop between age 1 and 5.

Your veterinarian will likely be able to diagnose your dog with the correct eye problem – whether it is retinal, cataracts or something else. In addition to cataracts, dogs can experience a range of other eye issues. A swollen or inflamed eye may indicate a bacterial infection, which can be treated with pet meds such as Neo Poly Dex Ophthalmic eye drops.

Glaucoma is another common eye disease in dogs. Primary glaucoma can be treated with drops such as Pilocarpine Solution, while secondary glaucoma may be cleared up with a medication like Timolol. Methazolamide is also frequently prescribed to treat this condition.

Dogs that can see fine during the day but not at night may be suffering from progressive retinal atrophy, which is particularly common in cocker spaniels. Other dogs with cloudy eyes may be able to see fine and not need any treatment. If your veterinarian is having trouble diagnosing your pooch, they may send you to a veterinary ophthalmologist. 

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