Dog Breeds That May Benefit from Protective Eyewear
When it comes to vision, some breeds are more likely than others to have issues with their eyes. Boston Terriers, Shih Tzus, Pugs, and other breeds known as brachycephalics have prominent eyeballs, says Dr. Brady Beale, a clinical instructor in ophthalmology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in Philadelphia. “Prominent eyeballs are much more susceptible to abrasions, ulcers, and cuts.”
Because their eyes are large and situated closer to the ground, brachycephalics tend to run into plants or other items that might harm their eyes, says Stine, who is board-certified in veterinary ophthalmology. So “they may benefit from protective eyewear when they’re outside to prevent self-trauma to the eyes.”
Sun exposure can worsen an autoimmune disease called chronic superficial keratitis (or pannus), especially in German Shepherds and Greyhounds, says Dr. Lucien Vallone, clinical assistant professor of ophthalmology at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Texas A&M University in College Station.
Pannus is not painful in most cases, but can result in blindness if left untreated, he says. “While topical anti-inflammatory therapies are the mainstay of therapy, reducing sun exposure can also help. Protective eyewear is often recommended for dogs suffering from this specific disease.”
Blind dogs who have persistent ocular trauma, as well as active dogs who work in an environment where there is higher risk of trauma to the eyes—search and rescue dogs, police dogs, those who work in harsh conditions, for example—may also be good candidates for eye protection. “They may help prevent ocular trauma such as foreign bodies like plants, punctures and abrasions, and other potential irritants,” says Dr. Peter Accola, a veterinary ophthalmologist at WVRC Emergency and Specialty Pet Care in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
Are dogs with cataracts sensitive to light?
Cataracts in dogs range in size, from a small dot to the complete lens. When a cataract is present, the opaque lens doesn’t permit an to form on the retina, resulting in vision loss. Light may still pass through the lens and your pet can still see light and dark.
Recent research has found that frequent, chronic exposure to sunlight can contribute to the formation of cataracts. Cataracts often form through a process known as oxidative stress, and typically appear with age.
What Happens When a Cataract Goes Untreated?
When a dog with cataracts is left untreated, they can become blind. The cataract completely blocks light from entering the eye through the lens and keeps your dog from seeing. The condition is still treatable at that time with surgery, but without treatment, it can develop into glaucoma.
Glaucoma is a condition where there is too much pressure in the eye, which damages the optic nerve. If the nerve is damaged, your dog will be permanently blind in the eye where the nerve sustained the damage.
Itâs important to note that not all cataracts can lead to glaucoma or blindness. Sometimes, they develop only enough to cause some reduction in sight.
Glaucoma isnât the only condition that can be caused by untreated cataracts. Another is lens luxation, or a condition where the lens can float around out of place. Cataract dissolution, where the cataracts dissolve on their own, can cause deep inflammation within the eye and lead to uveitis or glaucoma.
Uveitis is an inflammatory condition within the eye that is painful for your dog and can cause blindness.