Did you know that older pets can be prone to a few troublesome eye issues? But don’t worry – our team is here to help!
Below we’ve gone through some of the symptoms that would warrant a prompt eye assessment for your pet, and how regular health checks can help our keen-eyed vets to spot any developing issues earlier.
Cataracts
A cataract is an abnormal clouding of the lens within the eye. Some breeds have a hereditary predisposition to developing cataracts, but other potential causes include diseases such as diabetes.
Cataracts cause the black central area of your pet’s eye to appear hazy or white. They can also trigger painful inflammation within the eye, causing your pet to have a red, squinty, or watery eyes. Unfortunately, cataracts can cause blindness.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is when the internal pressure within the eye increases, due to an abnormal build-up of fluid. It causes pain and can rapidly lead to irreversible blindness. Glaucoma can occur due to inherited eye problems, or secondary to other issues such as lens damage or a tumour.
Pets with glaucoma will often have a very painful, watery eye. The clear surface of their eye may become cloudy or bluish in colour, and the surrounding white of the eye will often be red.
Retinal detachment
Retinal detachment is when the retina (the layer of light-sensitive cells at the back of the eye) peels away from the inner surface of the eyeball, leading to vision loss. It is most frequently caused by high blood pressure, which is particularly common in cats suffering from untreated kidney disease or hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland). However, it can also be caused by other eye issues such as trauma or glaucoma.
The most noticeable sign of retinal detachment is sudden blindness. The pupil of the affected eye(s) will also become abnormally large.
If ever your pet’s eye appears sore or otherwise abnormal, we’d advise a prompt examination by one of our vets. For pets eight years of age and older, we’d also recommend a general health check every 6-12 months. For more information on eye problems in pets, consult our eye-sperienced team!