Canine Eye Diseases: Common Conditions and Welfare Management

Eye Diseases in Dogs: Recognising and Managing Ocular Welfare Problems

Ocular disease is common in dogs, with numerous conditions ranging from minor discomfort to permanent blindness. The eyes are highly sensitive organs, and eye disease causes significant pain and distress. Early recognition and treatment are essential for welfare and visual preservation.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis — inflammation of the conjunctiva — is one of the most common ophthalmic presentations. Causes include: bacterial infection, viral (canine distemper), allergic, foreign body, and secondary to other eye diseases. Signs include: redness, discharge (serous, mucoid, or mucopurulent), squinting, and pawing at the eye. Treatment depends on cause: bacterial conjunctivitis responds to topical antibiotics; allergic conjunctivitis requires antihistamine or steroid treatment.

Corneal Ulceration

Corneal ulcers are painful, potentially serious conditions requiring prompt veterinary assessment. Superficial ulcers from minor trauma typically heal within 5-7 days with appropriate treatment (topical antibiotic, atropine for pain relief, protective contact lens in some cases). Indolent ulcers (SCCEDs — Spontaneous Chronic Corneal Epithelial Defects) — common in Boxers and Corgis — fail to heal due to abnormal basement membrane and require diamond burr debridement or grid keratotomy. Deep, melting, or perforated ulcers are emergencies requiring immediate specialist referral.

Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (Dry Eye)

KCS (dry eye) results from immune-mediated lacrimal gland destruction, causing inadequate tear production. Mucoid discharge, recurrent corneal ulcers, corneal pigmentation, and pain characterise advanced disease. Schirmer tear test (STT less than 10mm/minute diagnostic) measures tear production. Treatment with ciclosporin eye drops (Optimmune) stimulates tear production in 70-80% of cases; artificial tears supplement until ciclosporin takes effect. KCS is a welfare-significant chronic condition requiring lifelong management.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma — elevated intraocular pressure causing optic nerve damage and blindness — is excruciatingly painful. Acute angle-closure glaucoma presents with sudden blepharospasm, corneal oedema, dilated fixed pupil, and profound pain. This is an emergency — irreversible vision loss occurs within hours of pressure elevation. Immediate treatment with intravenous mannitol, topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, and prostaglandin analogues is required. Many affected dogs ultimately require enucleation to eliminate ongoing pain.

Brachycephalic Ocular Disease

Brachycephalic breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Shih Tzus) suffer disproportionately from ocular welfare problems due to exaggerated anatomy: prominent eyes with inadequate protective reflex, corneal exposure during sleep (lagophthalmos), medial entropion from skin folds, and nasal fold trichiasis. These conditions cause chronic pain and progressive corneal damage. Surgical correction is often required; welfare organisations advocate against extreme brachycephalic breeding.

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