Clubs Offering:
If the eyes are the windows to the soul, then it is no wonder we get worried when we notice cloudy eyes in dogs. After all, we don’t want our dogs to lose their vision or be uncomfortable.
When you see dogs with cloudy eyes, it may be a natural part of the aging process. But cloudy eyes in dogs can also can be a symptom of a number of eye problems. Trying to distinguish between what is normal and what is a problem can be tricky. While your veterinarian is your best source of information about your dog’s eye health, it helps to know what types of problems can cause a cloudy appearance in your dog’s eyes, and any other symptoms you can look out for.
The most common causes of cloudy eyes in senior dogs are nuclear sclerosis and cataracts. However, there are some other conditions that can also create a cloudy appearance in your dog’s eyes that require immediate veterinary attention.
As dogs age, some cloudiness is normal. “Most dogs, with age, develop a haze within the lens similar to cataracts, called nuclear sclerosis,” says veterinary ophthalmologist Martin Coster, DVM, MS, Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (DACVO). “Unlike cataracts,” Coster says, “this condition rarely causes vision impairment. However, focusing ability may become impaired.”
It is easy to confuse cataracts and nuclear sclerosis. Both conditions cause the lens to appear cloudy, but there are a few differences. Nuclear sclerosis usually gives your dog’s eyes a cloudy, bluish discoloration, unlike cataracts, which are white and opaque.
More important, nuclear sclerosis (also called lenticular sclerosis) does not significantly diminish your dog’s vision the way cataracts do. It tends to affect both eyes at the same time. The two conditions look different when your veterinarian examines your dog’s eyes with an ophthalmoscope.
Nuclear sclerosis is a change in the lens of the eye that normally occurs with aging. There is no treatment needed because the condition does not cause serious problems, but it might be a good idea to discuss your dog’s aging eyes with your veterinarian, so that you know what to expect as your dog grows older.
“It is often common for dogs who have nuclear sclerosis to also develop cataracts,” says Dr. Jerry Klein, AKC chief veterinary officer. “If your dog develops nuclear sclerosis, your vet will want to conduct regular check-ups to look for cataracts.”
Dogs develop cataracts just like people do. These white, milky changes to your dog’s lens are the result of abnormal lens metabolism. The lens in both dog eyes and human eyes acts like a camera lens, focusing light on the film at the back of the eye, called the retina, where the brain then processes the information to form a picture of the world around it.
The lens is made up of water and protein. These materials are organized in a very specific way, and when the proteins start to clump together, either as the result of age or trauma, they can form cataracts. These protein strands gradually obscure the lens, making it harder for your dog to see and in some cases causing total blindness.
There are a variety of causes of cataracts in dogs, including age, trauma, metabolic diseases such as diabetes, and genetics.
Cataracts can obscure your dog’s vision. Sometimes they do not pose any additional problems beyond vision loss itself, but other times they can lead to an even more serious issue – glaucoma. “Prompt diagnosis is important. There is a surgical solution for cataracts, but it is best to do this as early in their formation as possible,” says Dr. Klein.
Glaucoma in dogs occurs when the pressure inside the eye increases, resulting in damage to the structures in the eye. This condition is painful, and very high intraocular (inside the eyes) pressure is considered a veterinary emergency, as it can lead to permanent damage to the optic nerve and vision loss.
A cloudy eye is not the only symptom of glaucoma. You may also notice that the white of the eye is red and irritated, or that there is a bulge to the eye, a blue or red tint to the cloudiness, increased discharge, squinting, a dilated pupil, and most alarmingly, loss of vision. Dogs are good at compensating for loss of vision in one eye by relying on the other eye, so it is often difficult to detect.
Glaucoma is usually diagnosed with a tool called a tonometer. “It’s important for your veterinarian or a veterinary ophthalmologist to determine whether a dog is suffering from primary or secondary glaucoma, because treatment may vary for each type,” says Dr. Klein. “Proper and prompt examination is also important because a dog with glaucoma in one eye is at high risk for getting glaucoma in the other eye.”
In cases where medication fails, your veterinarian may recommend laser therapy, eye removal, implants to facilitate drainage, gentamicin (an antibiotic) injections, and cyclocryotherapy (a procedure used to reduce the production of intraocular fluid.) In severe cases, a surgical procedure may be necessary to address the cause of the secondary glaucoma or to make your dog more comfortable.
Some cloudy eyes in dogs look like they have actual clouds in the lens, while others might look like there is something on the surface of your dog’s eye clouding it up. Severe cases of dry eye can lead to corneal ulceration and scarring, which falls into the second category.
Dry eye, or keratoconjunctivitis sicca, occurs when your dog’s body does not produce enough tears. Tears are necessary for lubrication and overall eye health, as the aqueous solution is how your dog’s eyes receive necessary nutrients. When your dog is not producing enough tears, the surface of her eyes becomes irritated. Ulcers can form, and in severe cases lead to perforation of the eye itself. In chronic cases of dry eye, the surface can scar, creating a cloudy, dull appearance.
Most cases of dry eye result from an abnormal reaction of the body’s immune system. Some breeds are more susceptible to dry eye than others, such as Yorkshire Terriers and Pugs.
There are other symptoms of dry eye besides cloudy eyes. These include mucous discharge, redness around the whites of the eye, swelling of the tissue on the surface of the eye and eyelids, and squinting or excessive blinking. Dry eye is often associated with an autoimmune inflammation of the tear glands and can be a chronic, lifelong condition. Diagnosis includes an eye exam and sometimes a test to measure the amount of tear production and moisture in the eye.
Luckily, dry eye can usually be treated with tear-stimulating medications and topical antibiotics, and in severe cases there are surgical options available to help promote increased tear production. “If diagnosed early, treated consistently, and monitored regularly by a veterinarian, dogs who have dry eye can be pain-free,” reports Dr. Klein.
Ulcers that form as a result of dry eye, trauma from rubbing the eye on a rough surface or being scratched by another animal, bacterial or viral infections, or other ophthalmic problems, like entropion (inward folding eyelids) or distichia (problematically placed hairs) can also create a cloudy appearance in your dog’s eye.
Ulcers are sores on your dog’s cornea (the membrane on the front of the eye). As they progress, they may appear bluish, reddish, or just as a haze on the surface of your dog’s eye. Like other serious eye problems, corneal ulcers can be painful and are often accompanied by discharge and squinting. If they become infected, they can lead to severe damage and even perforation.
To diagnose a corneal ulcer, the veterinarian will use a fluorescein stain test, and sometimes samples will be taken to be cultured. Ulcers are usually treated with medicated drops to prevent infection and relieve pain, and in severe cases may require surgery to save your dog’s eye, so it is best to get your dog to the veterinarian as soon as you notice signs of ocular discomfort, like squinting or rubbing at the eye with a paw.
Anterior uveitis can also cause a cloudy appearance in your dog’s eyes. The uvea refers to the part of the eye that is made up of the choroid, ciliary body, and iris — the tissue at the front of the eye. Anterior uveitis is inflammation of one or all of these structures, and it is a serious condition that can lead to irreversible vision loss.
Symptoms of anterior uveitis include redness, discharge, squinting, an oddly shaped pupil, eyeball swelling, excessive tearing, and a cloudy or dull appearance.
This painful condition can have a number of causes, including autoimmune disease, cancer, trauma, metabolic disease, parasites, and fungal, viral, and bacterial infections. Your veterinarian may run a series of diagnostic tests to narrow down the culprit. Treatment will depend on the cause, and could include eye drops, eye ointments, and oral medications.
Some dogs develop a condition called corneal dystrophy, which gives their cornea an opaque, cloudy appearance. This common condition is inherited, and is broken down into three types depending on the location in the eye: epithelial, stromal, and endothelial.
Epithelial corneal dystrophy affects the superficial layers of the cornea. This condition can be uncomfortable, and Shetland Sheepdogs appear to be the most susceptible breed.
Endothelial corneal dystrophy affects the deepest corneal layer. Dogs with this condition are typically middle-aged or older, and Boston Terriers. Chihuahuas, and Dachshunds are genetically predisposed. This type of dystrophy can lead to corneal ulcers.
The veterinarian will use a microscope with a bright light to identify the type of corneal dystrophy your dog has, as well as a fluorescein stain to examine the details of the eye, and may prescribe antibiotic eye medications. The appearance of cloudy eyes may continue. Both epithelial and endothelial cornea dystrophy can cause ulcers that require treatment, but there is no cure for corneal dystrophy. This condition usually does not lead to compromised vision.
It’s also important to note that there are different types of cataracts and it’s possible for dogs to develop them at an early age.
It’s important to schedule a vet appointment and seek treatment immediately to prevent further damage. Your vet will likely prescribe eye drops, ointments, and medications.
Nuclear Sclerosis is a hardening of the eyes’ lenses and is common in older dogs. It usually develops in both eyes at the same time and the eyes gradually take on a cloudy, bluish-grey appearance. Nuclear Sclerosis isn’t painful and veterinarians say dogs should be able to adapt to any minor vision changes, meaning they should still be able to see. No treatment is necessary for Nuclear Sclerosis, but a vet check is imperative for an accurate diagnosis.
Blue or cloudy eyes are just one sign of aging. Click here to see the top 12 signs your pooch is entering his senior years.
Glaucoma is a condition where the aqueous humor (the eye’s fluid) doesn’t drain properly. Since the eyes will continue to produce fluid, failure of proper drainage leads to an increased pressure within the eyes. This increase in pressure causes damage to the internal structures of the eyes, leading to visual changes and can eventually cause blindness. This is a very serious condition and must be treated by the vet.
Key takeaway If your dog’s eyes are cloudy, it could be due to old age or other health conditions, including dry eye, cataracts, glaucoma, ulcers, anterior uveitis, or corneal dystrophy. It’s important to treat cloudy eyes right away with the help of a veterinary professional to prevent cloudy eye complications, such as ulcers and total or partial blindness.
There’s no denying the importance of your dog’s eyes. After all, their eyes are vital for exploration and are like tiny windows to their soul. So, it can be quite alarming when you notice a slight change in the appearance of their eyes.
If you’re asking yourself, “why are my dog’s eyes cloudy?”, we’ll explore the most likely culprits in this guide and highlight a few treatment options. Keep reading to find out what could be causing your dog’s cloudy eyes or use the links below to get the answers you need fast.
Symptoms of cloudy dog eyes include an opaque or hazy appearance above the eye lens that can have a white or gray tint. Cloudy dog eyes can occur on one or both eyes and take up the whole surface area of the eyeball or a small spot. Depending on what’s making your dog’s eyes cloudy, it can impair their ability to see, causing them to bump into pieces of furniture more quickly, miss the stairs, or lose their excitement when showing them a treat.
Just like humans, there are a variety of health issues that can lead to cloudy eyes and hinder your dog’s ability to see well or not at all. We’ll explore a few of the most common causes of cloudy dog eyes below.
Also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), dry eye is a condition in which your dog’s eyes do not produce enough tears to lubricate the area and maintain proper eye health. Although infrequent instances of dry eye won’t damage your dog’s vision, chronic KCS can scar the surface of the eyeball, leading to vision problems.1
If you believe your canine has dry eye, look out for other common symptoms, such as swelling, redness, milky discharge, and excessive blinking, and seek treatment right away. When left untreated, this can cause corneal ulceration and even blindness. Caught early, dry eye can be effectively managed with tear-inducing medication for long-term and often for the duration of your pet’s life.
Canine cataracts cause the opacity of a dog’s eye lens to thicken, reducing the amount of light that can pass through to the retina. This can happen for several reasons, including diabetes, eye trauma, aging, and genetics.3 According to the American Kennel Club, breeds most commonly affected by canine cataracts include:3
The only way to treat canine cataracts once they’ve developed is with surgery. So, it’s essential to have routine wellness checkups with your regular veterinarian for annual eye and health examinations to catch the disease early.
As your dog grows older, developing nuclear sclerosis (also known as lenticular sclerosis) is normal. In fact, according to the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, nuclear sclerosis is one of the most common culprits of eye changes in aging dogs.4
Nuclear sclerosis happens when the fibers located in the eye lens harden, making it difficult for your dog to identify objects near their line of vision. As the lens continues to harden, it can create a hazy and cloudy appearance, which resembles the cloudiness of a cataract. Although similar to canine cataracts, there are a few differences that set the two eye conditions apart, such as:
Despite the stark differences, the only way to confirm that it’s nuclear sclerosis or cataracts is with an eye exam performed by a veterinarian.
Canine glaucoma is when the pressure of fluid in your dog’s eye increases due to their environment, genetics, and medical conditions, causing damage to the optic nerve and retina.5 There are two types of canine glaucoma, including:
Without appropriate treatment, canine glaucoma can eventually lead to blindness. There are treatment options for glaucoma, but there is no cure, like surgery and oral medications.
Corneal ulcers occur when the outer layer of your dog’s cornea, the epithelium, becomes damaged. As one of the most common eye problems, this can happen for several reasons, such as dry eye, injuries, irritation, and scratches.6 Notable corneal ulcer symptoms to look out for include squinting, frequent blinking, excessive tearing, redness, cloudiness, and brown to green ocular discharge.
Corneal ulcers are painful for your dog but will often heal within a few days with appropriate treatment. During this time, it’s important to keep an eye on them, as the ulcer can worsen and become infected due to frequent rubbing and lack of proper care. It’s vital to prevent the ulcer from developing further in order to keep the eye intact by seeking help right away.
Ulcers that have quickly progressed may require surgical intervention to prevent vision loss. This often will result in a longer healing process.
Anterior uveitis is a condition in which inflammation is present in your dog’s eyes due to leaking blood vessels.7 This can occur due to various reasons, such as cancer, autoimmune and metabolic diseases, infections, trauma, and parasites. Several tests may be required before a cause is diagnosed. In many situations, treatment will include eye drops, prescription medication, or both. Without proper care, it can cause permanent blindness.
Symptoms to watch for include squinting, constant rubbing, discharge, redness, vision changes, swelling, cloudiness, and avoidance of lights.
Corneal dystrophy is an inherited eye disease, which can cause cloudiness in both of your dog’s corneas.
There are three types of corneal dystrophy, including:
Many dogs that experience corneal dystrophy will not need treatment unless symptoms become worse and ulcers develop.
There are several reasons why your dog may be experiencing cloudy eyes, from glaucoma to dry eye—it can be challenging to diagnose the root of the problem on your own.
For this reason, it’s vital that your pet gets properly diagnosed by a veterinary professional that has the diagnostics and experience to identify what’s wrong. While this guide can lead you in the right direction, it’s always best to get confirmation from a veterinarian who can create a detailed treatment plan and help your dog feel better.
To diagnose cloudy eyes, a veterinarian may run a series of tests such as a Schirmer tear test, fluorescein stain, and/or tonometry. Based on the results, they can prescribe medication according to the health issue identified.
Ultimately, the type of treatment your dog receives depends on the disease process of their dry eyes. Below, we’ll explore a few of the most common treatment options for the health conditions mentioned above.
When it comes to cloudy eyes in dogs, preventing this health issue from occurring in the first place is key. You can do this by scheduling routine eye examinations with your dog’s veterinarian and seeking regular treatment to prevent chronic conditions from worsening.