Why Are My Dogs Eyes Blue?
What is lenticular sclerosis? – Lenticular sclerosis or nuclear sclerosis is the medical term for a bluish transparent haze that develops in the lens of the eye in middle-aged to senior dogs. This is considered a normal change in the lens associated with aging, and is observed as a cloudiness or bluish discoloration on the pupil.
“Vision does not appear to be significantly affected in dogs diagnosed with lenticular sclerosis.” Vision does not appear to be significantly affected in dogs diagnosed with lenticular sclerosis. This condition is not the same as cataracts. Cataracts are white and opaque and represent a change in the ability of light to penetrate to the retina.
Cataracts cause diminished vision. Cataracts and lenticular sclerosis are two of the most common eye problems seen in dogs over the age of nine. Some estimates show the prevalence of lenticular sclerosis or cataracts at 50% in dogs over nine years of age and 100% in dogs over the age of thirteen.
- Lenticular sclerosis appears as an evenly gray, rounded opacity (cloudiness) in the center of the lens, and is most easily observed when the pupil is dilated.” Lenticular sclerosis typically occurs bilaterally (in both eyes) and symmetrically in dogs.
- Lenticular sclerosis appears as an evenly gray, rounded opacity (cloudiness) in the center of the lens, and is most easily observed when the pupil is dilated.
The opacity is often more dramatic when viewed from the side rather than from the front. When the eye is examined with an ophthalmoscope, the retina and fundus (back of the eye) can still be seen through the sclerotic lens.
What do you do if dog has blue cloudy eyes?
1. Cataracts – 
Source: pexels.com Cataracts are a common eye problem for dogs. A cataract is a cloudy film that forms over the lens of the eye, which can eventually lead to blindness. Cataracts can form for a number of reasons, but the most common is aging. It’s why this condition affects older dogs more often than young ones. Other causes of cataracts include:
Injury to the head or eye Diabetes mellitus Systemic hypertension Infectious diseases Some medications
Although older dogs are more prone to this condition, early onset cataracts in dogs is not necessarily uncommon. Cataracts usually develop slowly over a period of several months to years. The progression varies from one breed to the next, with some being more prone to cataracts than others.
- Cataracts can lead to blindness, but this is not always the case.
- In many cases, they can be successfully treated,
- If your dog develops a cataract, clear eye drops for dogs may be able to help reduce irritation, or even reverse the progression of the condition altogether.
- If eyedrops are not an appropriate treatment and you are still on the hunt for how to get rid of cataracts in dogs, your vet may suggest surgery.
If your dog’s cataracts are not treated, he will eventually go blind, but this might take several years. If you notice that your dog’s vision changes or his eyes appear to have a blue or gray cloudy film, he might have cataracts and should see a veterinarian.
The veterinarian will perform a complete eye exam, including an ultrasound to check the lens for any signs of cataracts. Depending on the severity of cataracts, treatment might involve surgery to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial one. In some cases, cataracts might not be severe enough to require surgery, and your dog will just need to be monitored regularly.
Additionally, your vet may suggest eye protection for dogs with cataracts in the form of behavioral and care changes, and physical protection like dog goggles,
Are dogs sad when they go blind?
Some dogs do become ‘depressed’ at first when they lose vision (this is normal) but you can help by trying to keep up their routine as normal as possible. For eye protection when outdoors Doggles or an Eye Shield can protect the eyes. Start them wearing for short periods with treats to get used to them.
What age do most dogs go blind?
Glaucoma – Loss of sight from occurs due to a buildup of pressure from fluid in the eye. Glaucoma is a painful condition, and may occur in one or both eyes. If treated quickly by a Veterinarian they may be able to save a pet’s eyesight by relieving the eye pressure.
What color do dogs eyes turn when they are blind?
Symptoms Of Blindness Or Vision Issues In Dogs – The symptoms of blindness or vision issues in dogs differ for every dog depending on the cause and severity of their blindness. These are common symptoms that will indicate if your dog is blind or starting to lose vision:
Cloudy appearance of the eye Your dog is bumping into objects Signs of anxiety or hesitation when in new places Your dog is suddenly unwilling to go up or down stairs, or jump onto furniture which they normally did Eyes are red, puffy or swollen Obvious eye irritation or pawing at face If your dog seems confused, dazed, easily startled Bumping into things Acting afraid to move General clumsiness Jumpiness Apprehensive during play Unable to find water, food, and toys Not wanting to go outside Depression Sleeping more than usual Anxiousness Excessive thirst Enlarged pupils Missing/unable to catch tossed treats
The most obvious sign that your dog is going blind is that they’ll start bumping into furniture or objects in your home, especially new objects. Your blind dog may have committed the layout of your home to memory, but if you add something new to the layout, they’ll likely bump into it.
Dog anxiety can also be a symptom of vision impairment. So if your pup hesitates before going outside for their nightly pee, that might be an indication they’re losing their eyesight. The appearance of your dog’s eyes can also tell you a lot about their eyesight. Blind dog eyes tend to look cloudy, red, or swollen.
Their pupils may also stop dilating when they’re exposed to light.
Why are my puppies eyes cloudy blue?
Nuclear Sclerosis in Dogs – As dogs age, some cloudiness is normal, “Most dogs, with age, develop a haze within the lens similar to cataracts, called nuclear sclerosis,” says veterinary ophthalmologist Martin Coster, DVM, MS, Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (DACVO).
- Unlike cataracts,” Coster says, “this condition rarely causes vision impairment.
- However, focusing ability may become impaired.” It is easy to confuse cataracts and nuclear sclerosis.
- Both conditions cause the lens to appear cloudy, but there are a few differences.
- Nuclear sclerosis usually gives your dog’s eyes a cloudy, bluish discoloration, unlike cataracts, which are white and opaque.
More important, nuclear sclerosis (also called lenticular sclerosis) does not significantly diminish your dog’s vision the way cataracts do. It tends to affect both eyes at the same time. The two conditions look different when your veterinarian examines your dog’s eyes with an ophthalmoscope.
Nuclear sclerosis is a change in the lens of the eye that normally occurs with aging. There is no treatment needed because the condition does not cause serious problems, but it might be a good idea to discuss your dog’s aging eyes with your veterinarian, so that you know what to expect as your dog grows older.
“It is often common for dogs who have nuclear sclerosis to also develop cataracts,” says Dr. Jerry Klein, AKC chief veterinary officer. “If your dog develops nuclear sclerosis, your vet will want to conduct regular check-ups to look for cataracts.”
What does glaucoma in dogs look like?
What are the signs and symptoms of glaucoma? – Dogs suffering from either primary or secondary glaucoma may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
Watery discharge from the eye Eye pain (eye rubbing or turning away when being pet) Bulging of the eyeball (whites of eye turn red) Cloudy, bluish appearance to eye Dilated pupil – or pupil does not respond to light
Loss of appetite Lethargy Swelling of the eye Less desire to play Vision loss
Chronic glaucoma can take some time to develop and begin causing symptoms, but acute glaucoma occurs very suddenly. If your dog is showing any of the symptoms listed above contact your vet immediately or visit the nearest emergency veterinary hospital for urgent care. Early diagnosis and treatment are your dog’s best bet for good treatment outcomes.
Can cloudiness in dogs eye go away?
Treatment – Treatment for cloudy eyes has a better chance of success if the eye disease is detected early. The proper treatment for cloudy eyes in dogs depends on the cause of the cloudiness:
There is no treatment available for lenticular sclerosis, nor is treatment necessary.Cataracts can only be treated with surgery.Glaucoma is treated with topical eye medications to lower intraocular pressure.Corneal ulcers are treated with topical medications, but severe ulcers may require surgical treatment.Treatment options for corneal endothelial degeneration are limited. Medications may be used as palliative treatment. Some specialized surgical options may be available through a veterinary ophthalmologist.Corneal dystrophy may be treated with a special diet to regulate cholesterol and calcium levels. Topical medications may also be used to manage this condition as well as secondary problems. Surgery may be necessary in some cases.
Does blue eyes mean blindness?
Macular Degeneration – People who are born blue-eyed are at higher risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, The research shows that there is less pigment in blue eyes, and green eyes for that matter, than there is in brown eyes. This means more light is able to penetrate blue eyes.
This makes lighter eyes more sensitive to light. So, this is what makes people with blue eyes more likely to have age-related macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is caused when the light-sensitive cells in the eyes start to die, which can eventually result in blindness. Luckily, you can increase your antioxidant intake to help prevent macular degeneration,
If your child is born with blue eyes, this is something you might want to think about doing as soon as possible. The more you invest in your eyesight from a young age, the better your vision will be later in life.
Are blue eyes in dogs a mutation?
Paths to Baby Blue – Blue eyes are found in a number of dog breeds, including Old English sheepdogs, border collies, and Welsh and Pembroke corgis, Irizarrypoints out. But for these breeds the blue-eyed trait is inherited as a recessive trait, meaning that two mutated copies of the gene are required for the blue eyes to occur.
In humans, he says, blue eyes are caused by a genetic variation between a pair of genes called HERC2 and OCA2 in the human genome. According to Irizarry, the mutation of the ALX4 gene in Siberian huskies seems to result in decreased pigment production in the eye. The lack of pigment causes the eye to appear blue.
“There’s no blue pigment. It’s about the way the light enters and exits the eye, creating the appearance of blue, the same way the sky looks blue but outer space is not blue,” says Irizarry. The type of mutation found in the study—in this case, the duplication of a snippet of genetic information—is also how tri-colored Australian shepherds sometimes end up with blue eyes, a phenomenon unexplained before this study, says one of its authors,Embark Veterinary, Inc.
What is the rarest unnatural eye color?
Green Eyes – Green is considered by some to be the actual rarest eye color in the world, though others would say it’s been dethroned by red, violet, and grey eyes. 
Green eyes don’t possess a lot of melanin, which creates a Rayleigh scattering effect: Light gets reflected and scattered by the eyes instead of absorbed by pigment. This effect makes the eyes look green, but they don’t actually have green pigmentation.
Do most dogs have blue eyes?
Blue-eyed dogs are rare. This distinctive look in one or both eyes is caused by a lack of pigment around the eye area, albinism, or a number of other genetic factors. Check out our article about how dogs get blue eyes, and the Dog Genetics website has more information about the genes that affect eye color.