We know that eye health is important but how often do you
take your pet’s eye health into account? National Pet Eye Health Awareness Week
(21-27th September) is to help educate owners on how to recognize common eye
problems, and understand what they should do about them. Eye problems are often
painful and, if left untreated, may result in sight loss. That’s why
understanding the symptoms and getting a vet appointment early is essential.
Eye problems can also be a symptom of underlying medical conditions, so the
quicker you can see your vet, the better.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF EYE DISEASE I SHOULD LOOK OUT FOR?
Any changes in your pet’s eyes or if one eye suddenly looks
different from the other could indicate a problem. Read about some specific
symptoms of eye disease below.
- Redness - A red eye is most commonly due to
inflammation. Inflammation can occur anywhere in or around the eye. There may
also be discharge, irritation and swelling present. Conjunctivitis is a common
cause of a red eye in dogs and cats and can be secondary to a number of causes
such as allergies, foreign bodies, tear film disorders or pathogens. Your vet
will treat your pet accordingly depending on the underlying cause. Redness may
less commonly be due to engorged blood vessels (e.g. in glaucoma) or hemorrhage
within the eye, either of which can be damaging to vision.
- Irritation-Eyes are very sensitive due to their
dense network of nerve endings. Irritation is common and is usually an
indicator of a painful or itchy eye.
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Pain – This can manifest as pawing or rubbing at
the eye, squinting or increased blink rate, excessive tearing, sensitivity to
light and vocalization. Corneal ulceration (damage to the window-like structure
at the front of the eyeball) is a common cause of acute pain and needs to be
addressed promptly to avoid further deterioration. Other causes of acute eye
pain may be trauma or foreign bodies. Some conditions, such as glaucoma, can
cause dull/throbbing pain due to buildup of pressure inside the eyeball. Your
pet may not show the above symptoms and may just be quieter and off food
(similar to how you would feel with a dull headache or migraine!
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Itchiness – Pets will often paw and rub their
eye if itchy. Itchy eyes may be due to allergies, infections or skin conditions
and they may also show other symptoms such as redness or discharge.
- Discharge- Discharge can range from watery to
sticky/ thick and be a variety of colors (clear, yellow/green/brown or bloody).
Normal healthy eyes should be clear and bright so if you notice any discharge
you should consult your vet. Once discharge dries it can become crusty and
adhere to the eyelids which is uncomfortable for your pet and may become a site
for bacterial multiplication. Ocryl is a gentle eye cleansing solution designed
specifically for pets which helps to soften and remove dried on discharge and
flush debris from the eye.
- Dull/cloudy/change in color
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Dull – A healthy pet has bright and shiny eyes.
If your pet has dull looking eyes it could be a sign of by dry eye (AKA
Kerato-Conjunctivitis Sicca or KCS), most commonly caused when the immune
system attacks the tear gland tissue leading to gradual tear volume depletion
and an unhealthy cornea. Tear gland loss can become total and permanent if left
unchecked but can be saved in most cases if identified and treated early.
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Cloudy – Cloudy looking eyes can be due to fluid
or cellular infiltrate into the cornea or issues with the lens (e.g.
cataracts)- any eye with a cloudy appearance should be checked immediately.
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Change in color – Speak to your vet if there is
any change in color of any part of the eye(s)
- Tear staining- Tear stains are those
reddish-brown marks that can appear on the fur around your pet’s eyes. These
stains can be unsightly and noticeable, especially on pale fur. In most cases
tear staining occurs when tears don’t drain properly and find their way onto
the face. For these patients, tear staining is largely a cosmetic problem which
can be solved with regular cleaning. A gentle eye cleansing solution designed
specifically for pets. Some patients with tears stains may have underlying eye
problems which mean they overproduce tears due to ocular irritation. These
tears can then spill over onto the face resulting in tear staining so it’s
important that a vet checks your pet if they have tear stains to address
anything treatable.
- Asymmetry- Both eyes should look the same so a
sudden or gradual change in appearance between eyes can indicate a problem.
Look out for differences in shape, size, and color. There will be the odd
exception where a difference is normal to that individual- for instance some
breeds of dog, such as Collies, may naturally have different colored irises
(called ‘Wall Eye’). If both eyes are asymmetrical in appearance have a vet
check them out to be on the safe side.
- Loss of vision or declining vision
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Loss of vision can be sudden or gradual
depending on the cause and, despite how close we are to our pets, it can
sometimes go unnoticed as their other senses (such as smell and hearing) are
much more heightened than ours. A blind pet often learns to compensate by using
these other senses and many will continue to lead a happy life.
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A common symptom of vision loss might be your
pet bumping into things, often initially in dim light where vision loss is
gradual. Pets learn to navigate their familiar environments instinctively so setting
them a little obstacle course and calling them towards you can help you
identify if their vision is poor. Another symptom of vision loss to watch out
for is your pet becoming more clingy with you as they use you for comfort and
guidance.
We all love our pets and they can’t tell us when something
is wrong. We also must be aware of taking care of ourselves too, so we can take
care of them.
