Why Are My Dog’s Eyes Cloudy?
If you’ve noticed your dog’s eyes seem to be a little bit hazy or foggy, cloudy eyes are typical as a dog ages. However, there may be some medical causes to look into first before assuming it’s just normal aging. If you find yourself asking, “Why are my dog’s eyes cloudy?”, here’s what to know and a few potential reasons why your dog’s eyes might be cloudy:
What Are Cloudy Eyes in Dogs?
Cloudy eyes are often a sign of some common eye problems in dogs. If a dog has cloudy eyes, you may notice a white or blue color in the eye. The eye may look milky white or even a blue-grayish color, or look like there’s a hazy film over the eye. You may see some redness, discharge, or your dog’s eye tearing up more than normal.
There are three different parts of your dog’s eye: the lens, cornea, as well as other internal parts of the eye. Cloudy eyes can happen when there are opacities in the lens or an abnormality of the cornea. While most cases of cloudy eyes and dogs do not necessitate an emergency trip to the vet, some do.
If you notice that your dog’s eye is swollen or bleeding, make sure to call your vet immediately because these are symptoms you should never ignore in your dog. They may also be pawing or scratching at their eye or holding it shut. These can indicate signs of pain, so it’s important to make sure they are seen by your vet as soon as possible.
9 Common Causes of Cloudy Eyes in Dogs
There can be a few different reasons why your dog has cloudy eyes. Here are a few common causes of cloudy eyes in dogs:
- Nuclear Sclerosis
- Cataracts
- Corneal Ulcers
- Corneal Scars
- Corneal Dystrophy
- Corneal Endothelial Degeneration
- Dry Eye
- Glaucoma
- Anterior Uveitis
1. Nuclear Sclerosis
As a dog gets older, their eye lens becomes denser, which can cause a bluish haze to develop. This process is called nuclear sclerosis or lenticular sclerosis and is normal as dogs age. Nuclear sclerosis typically develops in both eyes at the same time, and thankfully, it doesn’t significantly change a dog’s vision.
Because it doesn’t typically impact a dog’s vision, there is no treatment for it. However, to make sure it is not another eye-related issue, a veterinarian will need to assess your dog’s eyes to make sure nothing else is causing the cloudiness in your dog’s eye.
2. Cataracts
Cataracts are the opacity of the lens, and often appear as cloudiness in one or both eyes. This opacity prevents light from getting through the lens, which affects a dog’s vision. This opacity can be quite small and localized, or it can cover the entire lens.
Causes of Cataracts
Cataracts can be caused by a variety of things. Common causes of cataracts can include:
- Genetic conditions
- Inherited predispositions
- Diabetes
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Inflammation
- Eye injuries
- Aging
Dogs can inherit genetic conditions that cause them or predispositions for developing them. Dogs with canine diabetes often develop cataracts. Other causes include nutritional deficiencies, inflammation, or eye injuries. Cataracts can also be just a normal part of aging for dogs.
Signs of Cataracts in Dogs
Signs and symptoms of cataracts in dogs can include:
- Difficulty navigating
- Bumping into things more often
- Hesitancy to play
- Rubbing eyes
- Squinted eyes
- Excessive tearing
- Discomfort related to their eyes/face
If your dog has cataracts, you probably will notice them bumping into things or being more hesitant to play. They may also rub their eyes and have excessive tearing. You might also see them squinting their eyes or showing signs of discomfort.
How to Treat or Manage Cataracts in Dogs
If you notice any of these changes, make sure to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. There are some surgical treatment options, like removing the lens and replacing it with an artificial lens or using a laser to break up the cataract. The earlier a cataract is treated, the more likely the surgery and recovery process will work.
If your dog’s cataracts are caused by diabetes, it is imperative to manage your dog’s sugar levels correctly. If the cataracts are caused by inflammation, your veterinarian will need to run some tests to determine the cause of the inflammation. Once that is determined and addressed, the cataracts can be treated.
3. Corneal Ulcers
A corneal ulcer is an injury to the cornea and is typically caused by an injury or infection. It can also be caused by inflammation due to inflammation from entropion in dogs. If a corneal ulcer is present, only a portion of the cornea may appear cloudy rather than the entire cornea. If your dog has a corneal ulcer, they will probably squint or even try to paw at their eye. There may also be some discharge.
In order to diagnose corneal ulcers, your veterinarian will administer a fluorescein eye stain test. Once the stain is dropped into your dog’s eye, your vet will use a special light to look for evidence of corneal ulcers. Most corneal ulcers are treated with a topical pain medication. This helps manage the pain while the ulcer heals. In extreme cases, surgery may be required by a specialist.
4. Corneal Scars
Sometimes the cornea may appear cloudy due to a scar on the cornea. These scars can be from something such as a corneal ulcer or other corneal injuries. These scars may appear cloudy or hazy. Typically, corneal scarring does not require treatment.
5. Corneal Dystrophy
Corneal dystrophy is another cause of cloudy eyes. Sometimes, materials like fat droplets or cholesterol build up inside the cornea. When this happens, the cornea becomes cloudy or even opaque.
This is a hereditary condition, and while corneal dystrophy doesn’t cause significant changes to a dog’s vision, it can cause ulcers to form. In most cases, treatment is not necessary for corneal dystrophy. However, if your dog develops corneal ulcers or pain, your dog may be referred to a veterinarian ophthalmologist.
6. Corneal Endothelial Degeneration
Corneal endothelial degeneration happens when cells break down in the cornea and fluid builds up, causing a bluish or foggy appearance. This condition may also be called canine blue eye and tends to occur in Boston Terriers. Sometimes, small blisters will form on the cornea and burst.
Initial treatment for corneal endothelial degeneration typically includes a saline solution that helps pull fluid away from the cornea. Unfortunately, Corneal endothelial degeneration does not typically respond well to treatment, so visual impairment is likely. In some cases, a veterinarian ophthalmologist may recommend surgery to prevent the condition from progressing.
7. Dry Eye (Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca)
Dry eye is known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca and is a specific type of keratitis. There are a few kinds of keratitis in dogs, including keratoconjunctivitis sicca. If a dog has keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), it means their body doesn’t produce enough tears needed to keep their eyes lubricated. This happens when their immune system attacks the glands that produce tears.
Dogs with diabetes and brachycephalic dog breeds with large eyes, such as Shih-Tzus, Pugs, and more, are more susceptible to dry eye. Dogs with KCS typically have eyes that are red with a thick and yellow discharge. This condition is usually painful and may also cause corneal ulcers and scarring.
To diagnose KCS, a vet will perform a Schirmer tear test to determine how quickly your dog’s eye produces tears. In most cases of KCS, dogs will be treated with cyclosporine, a topical immunosuppressant.
8. Glaucoma
Glaucoma in dogs is a painful condition that causes increased pressure inside the eye. In a healthy eye, fluid helps regulate pressure, but when glaucoma is present, there may be too much fluid in the eye. This causes increased pressure in the eye.
In the beginning stages of glaucoma, the eye may start to become red with visible blood vessels. As glaucoma progresses, their eyes may become cloudy, enlarged, and painful. If the pressure is too high, it can turn into an emergency. Unmanaged glaucoma can cause blindness.
In order to diagnose glaucoma, the vet will test the Intraocular pressure of the eye. Your dog’s cornea will be numbed with a topical anesthetic then your vet will use a device called a tonometer to measure the pressure inside the eye.
If glaucoma is caught early, it can be treated with medication that helps fluid drain properly. In some cases, dogs may not experience much vision loss, or none at all. However, if the condition is more severe, it may be recommended for a total removal of the eye, a procedure called enucleation. While this treatment sounds extreme, it is the most effective way to treat serious cases of glaucoma. Luckily, with a little adjustment, many dogs can live a full and happy life with one eye!
9. Anterior Uveitis
When the front part of the eye, including the iris, experiences inflammation, it’s called anterior uveitis. Along with cloudy eyes, your dog’s eye may become red, have discharge, or a misshapen pupil or Iris. You may notice that your dog is squinting more than normal. Anterior uveitis is often a secondary condition to an infection, cancer, or autoimmune disease.
If your dog is diagnosed with anterior uveitis, they most likely will be given a topical steroid, like prednisone. They may also be prescribed a topical anti-inflammatory medication. Both of these medications reduce inflammation of the eye. They may also be given a topical pain reliever, as well. If the anterior uveitis is caused by an infection, the infection will need to be treated alongside the inflammation.
When Should You Go to the Vet If Your Dog’s Eyes Are Cloudy?
- Rapid changes in your dog’s eyes
- Eye discharge
- Eye redness
- Swelling or bulging of the eyes
- If your dog is pawing or scratching at their eyes
- If they are squinting or blinking more than usual
- If they are in pain
- Changes in their vision
If you notice a rapid change in your dog’s eyes, you should call your veterinarian as soon as possible. A few other signs that your dog should see a veterinarian soon include eye discharge, eye redness, and swelling, as well as if your dog is pawing at or scratching their eye, or squinting or blinking more than usual.
You should also see a veterinarian if you notice changes in their vision, such as bumping into things or not being able to follow objects, such as a treat or a toy. If you notice that your dog is experiencing significant pain in their eye or that their eye appears to be bulging, you should seek emergency veterinarian care.
How Veterinarians Diagnose Cloudy Eyes in Dogs
When your dog has an appointment for cloudy eyes, your vet will look at your dog’s eyes with an ophthalmoscope. This tool lets the vet see into the back of the eye. They may also try to assess your dog’s vision by seeing if they can track objects or if they blink in response to an object coming towards their eyes.
Other tests veterinarians use to diagnose cloudy eyes in dogs include a Schirmer tear test. Your vet will put a test strip in a dog’s eye, which will allow them to measure how many tears they produce in a minute. This test is used to diagnose dry eyes in dogs.
A Fluorescein stain test is used to diagnose corneal ulcers. A stain called fluorescein is administered to the eye, and the vet will use a special light to look for the ulcer.
How to Treat Cloudy Eyes in Dogs
If your dog’s eyes are cloudy, the treatment will depend on the underlying cause. Depending on the underlying cause and condition, some of the various treatment options available are:
- Eye drops
- Topical medication
- Oral medication
- Surgery
- Laser therapy
- Stem cell therapy
- Environmental modifications
- Dietary changes
Your vet will work with you and your dog to determine the best course of treatment. If cloudy eyes are a secondary condition, your dog may need a few different treatments or combinations of treatments.
If their eye condition is painful or requires a topical treatment, your dog will probably need to use a recovery cone. The cone will keep your dog from scratching or rubbing their eye, allowing it to heal properly.
So if you’re looking at your dog and having to ask, “Why are my dog’s eyes cloudy?”, there could be a few reasons. If you notice your dog’s eyes begin to look cloudy, make sure to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. They’ll be able to diagnose your dog and pursue any treatment options available.