Eye conditions are among the most common and welfare-significant health problems in companion dogs, ranging from breed-related structural defects to progressive degenerative diseases that cause pain and vision loss.
Eye pain is often underrecognised in dogs because they adapt remarkably well to vision loss and mask discomfort. Chronic conditions such as entropion cause constant corneal irritation that may persist for years before being treated. Progressive conditions cause increasing disability that, while often compensated behaviourally, represents genuine ongoing welfare compromise. Brachycephalic breed conformation creates structural eye problems as a normal consequence of breeding selection, meaning many dogs suffer eye-related discomfort throughout their lives. Early diagnosis and treatment prevent unnecessary suffering, but economic barriers and insufficient owner awareness remain significant obstacles to timely veterinary care.