Glaucoma and cataracts are leading causes of blindness in dogs, causing significant pain and quality of life reduction when undiagnosed or inadequately treated.
Glaucoma pain in dogs is frequently underrecognized because behavioral changes — subtle squinting, reduced activity, and altered facial expression — are easily attributed to normal aging or minor illness. Untreated glaucoma causes progressive optic nerve destruction and severe ocular pain over days to weeks. By the time diagnosis is made, permanent vision loss has often occurred in the affected eye. Cataracts that progress to hypermature lens changes cause lens protein leakage, inducing painful uveitis. Both conditions are substantially more manageable with early detection. Breeds with high genetic risk benefit from periodic ophthalmic screening. Surgical and medical management options have improved considerably and offer good welfare outcomes when applied promptly.