Do Dogs Eyes Need Sun Protection?

Sunlight can damage the eyes of your dog. They can suffer from photokeratitis, or light-colored eye syndrome, or even develop cataracts. Sunlight exposure can also cause other health issues, including cancer. For this reason, you should always protect your dog's eyes with special dog goggles during outdoor activities.

Causes of Cataracts in Dogs

Cataracts and glaucomas in dogs are a serious health problem that affects the eye. They cause the eye lens to cloud up, blocking light from reaching the retina. If left untreated, they can lead to complete blindness. Although most dogs can live a long life without any cataracts, some can experience vision loss or even blindness. Cataracts can be prevented or treated with surgery.

Cataracts are a common eye problem in dogs, and the symptoms can be quite difficult to identify. However, your veterinarian can easily diagnose your dog's cataracts. He can do this by looking at your dog's eyes under a bright light and with a magnifying glass. Cataracts can be small or large, and the sooner they are detected, the better.

Cataracts in dogs may be caused by several factors. One of these causes is trauma to the eye. Cataracts form at the site of injury and can spread over the entire lens. Another cause is diabetes mellitus, a systemic disease that causes high blood sugar. Because the lens needs glucose to function properly, high glucose levels can cause cataracts to develop. Even if your dog takes insulin, cataracts can still develop.

The good news is that surgery can remove cataracts. In some cases, non-surgical treatments can slow the progression of cataracts in dogs. However, these treatments aren't enough to reverse the effects of cataracts. In many cases, your veterinarian will need to perform surgery to remove them.

Symptoms of Photokeratitis in Dogs

A dog suffering from photokeratitis may exhibit a variety of signs and symptoms. The first one is discharge from the eye, which may be whitish or green. Another sign is spasmodic blinking in bright light. Additionally, the tissue around the eye may be swollen or red, and there may be pigmentation on the cornea. If your dog exhibits these signs, you should take him to a vet for further testing.

Photokeratitis in dogs can also cause a number of uncomfortable side effects, including pain and swelling. It can also lead to a "gritty" sensation in the eye. In severe cases, a dog may experience a loss of vision and a twitching eyelid. The eye may also become cloudy or red. A dog may also develop an aversion to light, which may cause a temporary loss of vision.

Symptoms of photokeratitis may be temporary, or permanent, depending on the cause of the infection. A fungal infection can be treated with voriconazole eye drops, while a bacterial infection may require more intensive treatment. In cases where ulceration occurs, a soft contact lens is placed on the dog's pupil to protect the cornea during healing. If the ulceration is deep enough, surgery or a corneal transplant may be required.

Symptoms of photokeratitis are usually present when the dog is exposed to too much UV radiation. In mild cases, home remedies can support healing and provide comfort. More severe cases may require antibiotics or cortisone ointment. A veterinarian may also suggest that a dog undergoes an ophthalmological examination.

Sun Protection for Dogs With Light-colored Eyes

Dogs with light-colored eyes are at higher risk for eye damage due to the sun's UV rays. This is because light-colored eyes do not have as much melanin as darker ones do. This pigment is responsible for absorbing the UV rays. Fortunately, there are many ways to protect your dog from the sun.

The first step is to apply a good sunscreen for your dog. Apply it to exposed areas of skin and avoid getting it into the eyes or armpits. If your dog has light-colored eyes, make sure you apply a higher concentration of sunscreen to those areas. You should also supervise your dog while applying sunscreen to prevent it from licking the lotion.

Choosing a sunscreen for your dog is not difficult if you know the ingredients of a good sunscreen. You should look for products without salicylates or zinc oxide. These ingredients are harmful to your dog's red blood cells, so it is best to use a sunscreen that is veterinarian-approved. Sunscreen should also have a low concentration of para-aminobenzoic acid.

If your dog has light-colored eyes, make sure to have on dog goggles. The sun can cause your dog to become more sensitive to light, which can cause dilated eyes on bright days. It's important to protect your dog's eyes from the harmful UV rays that can cause damage to the eye. Dog sunglasses are especially useful in cases of eye problems. A dog with dilated pupils may be suffering from iris atrophy, a condition in which the muscles that control the pupil are weak.