No matter the issue, the eyes are the windows to the soul, and any changes in the dog’s eyes can cause unpleasant feelings to both the dog and the owner.
Sometimes cloudy eyes in dogs represent a natural aging process, but it can also be a symptom of numerous eye health issues. Distinguishing aging dogs’ cloudy eyes and eye problems is a tricky thing.
Cloudy eyes in dogs manifest as discoloration and hazy film covering on the eyes. Some cloudy eye conditions in dogs may cause blindness and pain, while others manifest only with discoloration.
Keep reading and find out everything about dogs’ cloudy eyes.
What Are Cloudy Eyes?
Cloudiness in the eyes is usually seen in the eye’s cornea; sometimes, it represents a natural aging process, and sometimes a progressive eye disease. Since cloudiness is located on the corner – you cannot miss it.
Besides the visible lens changes, cloudy eyes can be caused by calcium and fat deposits in the lens, cornea, and retina. Other times is a result of protein accumulation, inflammation, white blood cell, and the presence of genetically linked defects.
You can often notice cloudiness in the eye’s lens (transparent, elastic structure behind the iris and the pupil). As the dog continues aging, many changes occur and make the lens white and visible, and this causes compromised vision.
Symptoms of Cloudy Eyes in Dogs
Symptoms of cloudy eyes depend on the cause. However, we have listed some of the leading causes of cloudy eyes in dogs to keep you alerted. Maybe your dog will not experience all these symptoms, but as soon as you notice any change, call your vet or a veterinary ophthalmologist.
These are the most common symptoms in dogs with cloudy eyes:
- Eye rubbing – If you notice your puppy rubbing or pawing one eye, it can be due to corneal ulcers or scratch.
- Red, irritated whites of eyes – Besides the bluish eye discoloration, the whites may appear inflamed, which is a sign of glaucoma.
- Buldge or swelling in the eye – Cloudy eyes in dogs with a blue or red tint is another symptom of glaucoma that alarms you to visit a vet as soon as possible.
- Trouble in finding food, items, and bedding – If you notice that your puppy has trouble finding these items, check for cloudiness because it could be impeding vision loss.
- Discharge – Cloudiness with yellow or green discharge can be an alarm for corneal ulcers or infections due to corneal ulcers. Discharge is rarely seen from both eyes, so that you will notice it only from one eye.
- Cloudiness – Cloudy appearance is manifested in tones of blue, grey, white, or red with different opaqueness degrees. Each color presents a separate cause of cloudy eyes in dogs, including:
-Grey or bluish: Lenticular sclerosis, glaucoma, or corneal endothelial degeneration.
-Red: Corneal ulcer
-Silvery white or grey: Corneal dystrophy
-Milky white: Cataract
Causes of Cloudy Eyes
Many ophthalmic conditions can lead to cloudy eyes in dogs. Pet parents firstly assume that a cataract causes cloudiness, which is sometimes the case. However, cloudy eyes may occur due to many health conditions.
These are the conditions that may cause cloudiness in dogs:
Lenticular Sclerosis
Lenticular sclerosis is a painless condition that affects aging dogs and causes hazy lenses. This condition is explained as old fibrous tissue build-up in the lens behind the iris, resulting in a transparent, bluish haze that can be seen from the side. It appears as cloudy pupil discoloration, and it is typically symmetrically.
We have both good and bad news. The good news is that this condition does not cause blindness or pain. On the other side, the bad news is that older dogs end up developing age-related cataracts due to lenticular sclerosis.
Therefore, it’s very easy to confuse nuclear sclerosis and cataract. Although they both appear cloudy, nuclear sclerosis manifests as bluish, cloudy discoloration, while cataracts are opaque and white. Another difference is that nuclear sclerosis does not compromise the dog’s vision as cataracts do.
Our advice is not to worry because if you face difficulties distinguishing the two conditions, your veterinary ophthalmologist will diagnose the underlying cause just with an ophthalmoscope.
Nuclear sclerosis normally occurs with aging, and there isn’t any specific treatment; however, discuss with your vet and determine what to expect as the dog grows older.
Cataracts
Cataract means opacity on the eye’s lens and develops a cloudy spot that grows over time. As the cloudy spot grows, it blocks the light and causes blindness. When this process completes, your dog might have complete blindness, painful inflammation, and lens luxation of the eye.
Just like with people, cataracts form white, milky changes due to abnormal lens metabolism. The lens act like a camera lens that focuses light at the back of the eye (retina), signaling the information to the brain.
Lens contain protein and water organized in a specific way. After some injury or trauma, proteins clump together and form cataract that causes total blindness in some cases.
Other common causes of cataracts in dogs are trauma, age, metabolic diseases like diabetes, and genetics.
Before buying or adopting a puppy, be aware that some breeds are more prone to hereditary cataracts than others. Some of the most affected dog breeds are:
- Bichon Frise
- Australian Shepherd
- Boston Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- French Bulldog
- Silky Terrier
- Havanese
- Poodle
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Cocker Spaniel
- Siberian Husky
- Labrador Retriever
- West Highland White Terrier
Canine cataracts can occur at any age in these dog breeds, affecting both eyes. There are cases when they don’t cause any additional problems; however, sometimes, they can lead to glaucoma.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma in dogs occurs when there is increased pressure inside the dog’s eyes. If the intraocular pressure stays high for too long, the optic nerve may get damaged permanently, which is a painful condition and leads to blindness.
Since it is very painful and causes permanent damage, it requires veterinary attention as soon as possible.
There are two main types of glaucoma:
- Primary or inherited glaucoma – This type of glaucoma affects many breeds. Still, it’s mostly common in Cocker Spaniel, Beagle, English Cocker Spaniel, Chow Chow, Russel Terrier, Basset Hound, Chinese Shar-Pei, Siberian Husky, or Norwegian Elkhound.
- Secondary glaucoma is caused by lens luxation or subluxation, cataract, inflammation, cancer, or retinal detachment.
Besides noticing cloudy eyes, you will notice that the white of the dog’s eyes become irritated and red with a bulge to the eye, blue or red tint, squinting, increased discharge, dilatated pupil, and vision loss. However, the good news is that dogs are great at compensating for vision loss, so it’s tricky to detect glaucoma.
Veterinary ophthalmologists diagnose glaucoma with a tool called a tonometer. It is also crucial to determine whether it’s primary or secondary glaucoma because the treatment varies on the type. Also, be aware that if the dog has glaucoma in one eye, there is a high risk of getting it in the other eye as well.
If medication fails, your vet might suggest eye removal, laser therapy, implants to facilitate drainage, cyclocryotherapy (procedure for reducing the intraocular fluid), or antibiotics such as gentamicin.
Corneal Ulcers
Corneal ulceration is an injury on the dog’s eyes surface (the cornea). These types of ulcers occur when the cornea gets scratched or scraped due to trauma or friction. Additionally, the injured area becomes painful, and the dog may do worse by rubbing the eye.
Other eye conditions lead to corneal ulcers, and if they are left untreated, they can cause irreversible damage to the eye.
Other common reasons for cloudy eyes in dogs are:
- Trauma
- Dry eye
- Bacterial or viral infections
- Entropion (inward folding eyelids)
- Distichia (not properly placed hairs).
Ulcers on the other side are sores of the cornea, and as ulcers progress, they appear reddish, bluish, or haze. Other symptoms of ulcers are squinting and discharge, which can lead to perforation in very serious infections.
To diagnose a corneal ulcer, veterinarians use a fluorescein stain test or samples to prepare culture. Usually, these ulcers are treated with medicated drops to prevent infection and relieve pain. However, if you notice your dog rubbing or squinting its eyes with paws, call your vet before the ocular discomfort continues.
Corneal Endothelial Degeneration
Corneal endothelial degeneration occurs in senior dogs and causes opacity of the dog’s cornea. It happens when the endothelial cells in the cornea don’t maintain proper fluid balance in the cornea’s tissue. This process results in cloudiness, leading to blindness and painful secondary eye complications.
Corneal Dystrophy
Corneal dystrophy is very similar to the previous condition since it causes opacity of the dog’s cornea. This condition causes cholesterol or calcium build-up on the cornea and causes painful ulcers that lead to blindness.
Due to the locations in the eye, there are three types of corneal dystrophy, including:
- Epithelial corneal dystrophy affects the outside cornea layers. This condition causes discomfort, and the most susceptible breed is the Shetland Sheepdog.
- Stromal corneal dystrophy affects the middle layer of the cornea. Most predisposed dogs to this health issue are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels, Airedale Terriers, and Weimaraners.
- Endothelial corneal dystrophy affects the deepest corneal layer. This condition affects middle-aged or older dogs genetically predisposed, such as Chihuahuas, Boston Terriers, and Dachshunds. This condition can lead to corneal ulcers.
Diagnosing cloudy eyes due to corneal dystrophy includes identifying the dystrophy with a bright light or fluorescein stain test for examining the dog’s eye. Even after prescribing antibiotic eye medications, the cloudiness may continue to last.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for corneal dystrophy, but the good thing is that it does not lead to compromised vision.
Anterior Uveitis in Dogs
Anterior uveitis is one of the causes that lead to cloudy eyes in dogs. Uvea is the part of the dog’s eye that consists of the ciliary body, choroid, and iris. It is an inflammation of one or all these anatomic parts and can lead to irreversible vision loss.
The most common symptoms are discharge, redness, squinting, oddly shaped pupil, excessive tear production, eyeball swelling, and cloudy appearance.
There are numerous underlying causes of this condition include cancer, trauma, autoimmune diseases, metabolic disease, parasites, fungal, bacterial, or viral infections.
Until your vet narrows down the culprit, many diagnostic tests need to be performed, and the treatment depends on the cause. Usually, the treatment includes oral medications, eye ointments, or eye drops.
Dry Eye in Dogs
Cloudy eyes often appear like actual clouds on the dog’s eyes. One of these causes is a dry eye which additionally leads to scarring and corneal ulcers. Dry eyes in dogs are also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca because of insufficient tears from the tear glands.
Dry eyes in dogs in the medical world are known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca and occur when the dog’s body cannot produce enough tears. Believe it or not, tears sometimes do good! They are used for lubricating and keeping the overall eye health with the necessary nutrients.
When dogs don’t have normal tear production, the eye’s surface becomes irritated, and ulcers develop. If eyes stay dry for a long time, the surface can scar and create a dull and cloudy appearance.
However, most dogs develop dry eye as an abnormal reaction of the body’s immune system. Breeds like Pugs and Yorkshire Terriers are more susceptible to dry eyes, so if you own these breeds, be extra careful.
Diagnosing includes an eye exam and test to measure the tear production and moisture in the eye. The good news is that dry eyes can be treated with tear-stimulating medications and topical antibiotics that promote increased tear production.
If the dogs are diagnosed early, monitored, and treated appropriately, they will not feel any pain.
Diagnosing Cloudy Eyes in Dogs
No, pet forums will not diagnose why are your dog’s eyes cloudy. The best person for this job is your general practice doctor; however, be ready that you can be referred to a veterinary ophthalmology specialist for further treatment.
The treatment always depends on the cause of the issue, so your veterinary ophthalmologists will lay out a plan for diagnosing and further treating.
Be aware of symptoms like increased discharge, squinting, or change in the dog’s eye’s size, shape, color, or vision. If you notice any of these signs, contact your vet as soon as possible, and explain the symptoms and your dog’s previous medical records.
Veterinarians perform a thorough eye exam and use numerous tools to diagnose cloudy eyes in dogs, including:
- Non-invasive high-resolution imaging techniques
- Pupil dilation drops
- Special stains (fluorescein)
- Tonometer (typically used for glaucoma testing)
- Ophthalmic lights and filters
- Ophthalmoscope
Be aware that dogs diagnosed with lenticular sclerosis easily develop cataracts, so your veterinarian will suggest monitoring.
Treatment
The success of the treatment depends on the time the health issue got diagnosed. However, the treatment of the dog’s cloudy eyes depends on the underlying cause, so here are some more tips about the treatments:
- There is no available treatment for lenticular sclerosis
- Cataracts are treated with surgeries
- Glaucoma’s treatment is focused on lowering the intraocular pressure with topical eye medications
- Corneal endothelial degeneration is treated only with palliative therapy, but some available surgical options are also available
- Corneal dystrophy treatment is focused on a special diet for regulating calcium and cholesterol levels, as well as topical medications and surgical procedures in some severe cases.
Prognosis for Dogs With Cloudy Eyes
The prognosis depends on the underlying cause. Very often, the prognosis is good, but some conditions lead to compromised dog vision. The good news is that even if the dog’s vision is compromised, the dog can live a quality and long life.
How to Prevent Cloudy Eyes
Prevention can save us a lot of money and unnecessary stress, but taking precautions is very difficult sometimes. Pet owners either panic too much and cause unnecessary situations or don’t visit their vet at all. So, the best way to prevent a dog’s cloudy eyes is to take your puppy to a vet once or twice per year for a routine wellness check.
Although you cannot prevent some health issues that occur with aging, like lenticular sclerosis, you can be informed about the preventative measures:
- Canine cataracts are hereditary, but be aware that sometimes diabetes mellitus can lead to cataract, so try to manage your dog’s diabetes properly.
- Glaucoma by itself needs to be appropriately treated. However, some diseases can be regulated to prevent glaucoma.
- Corneal ulcers are the most preventable by keeping your dog from traumatic injuries. In order to avoid rubbing the eyes try to use temporary aid such as an Elizabethan collar.
- Corneal endothelial degeneration occurs as the dog ages or is secondary to other eye issues. Of course, you are not able to prevent the aging process, but you can identify some underlying causes.
- Corneal dystrophy can be regulated and prevented just by keeping the cholesterol and calcium levels under control. Vets perform routine lab tests to check these levels periodically, which is the best way to monitor and prevent them simultaneously.
FAQ:
Final Words
Pet owners are often stuck in an endless tunnel of online research and worry. Still, our advice is to stay calm and ask for professional veterinary help as soon as you notice any changes in your dog’s eyes. Remember that eyes are the window to the soul, and bear in mind that prevention can save you tons of money and unnecessary stress.
Related topic: Vaginitis in Dogs
*photo by Andriian – depositphotos