One of the main differences between dog and human vision lies in the eye itself. Although they share certain similarities such as the iris, pupil, lens, or retina, there are many differences such as the number of eyelids, the colors they distinguish, or the type of vision. In this article, we will review the anomalies that may be causing red, white, or blue eyes in dogs.
Differences between the vision of a dog and that of a human
The most significant differences between the vision of both species are the following:
- In color. The color spectrum is not as wide as that of humans, but dogs are known to distinguish between blue, yellow, green and gray.
- peripheral vision . Unlike humans, dogs have a peripheral vision of about 250 degrees – in humans 180 degrees.
- night vision . Thanks to their large pupils, dogs can absorb more light which allows them to improve vision in low light conditions.
- Eyelashes and eyelids
- Fundus color of the eye. In humans it is a white color, while in dogs a multitude of colors appear.
red eyes in dogs
The reddish color in our pet’s eyes can be a symptom of small eye irritation, although it can also be a symptom of something more serious. For this reason, we recommend that you see a veterinary ophthalmologist in case of any unusual signs to rule out serious illnesses.
The most common causes of red eyes in dogs range from conjunctivitis to hemorrhage.
Conjunctivitis
When the membrane that covers the eye and the inside of the eyelids -conjunctiva- becomes red and inflamed, conjunctivitis occurs, which can be caused by different factors.
- shampoo . As in humans, if soap gets into the eye it can irritate it.
- allergies. If the dog is in contact with any allergen, it can cause redness.
- Bacteria or viruses. In these cases, in addition to the red eye, the organ also secretes yellow or greenish secretions.
- dry eye . Dogs that do not produce enough tears can become dry and irritated, making them more susceptible to injuries and other infections.
- Alterations in the eyelids. Some breeds are prone to the eyelids growing inwards and the eyelashes brushing the eye -chow chow- or hanging down and exposing the conjunctiva -cockers-.
corneal ulcers
An ulcer is a wound that causes discomfort, photophobia, pain, and tearing. In this case, they are injuries to the cornea.
The most common treatment for this condition is antibiotic eye drops, although ophthalmological surgery can sometimes be used.
episcleritis
It is an inflammation of the white part of the eyeball. It can also happen that instead of global inflammation a small localized nodule appears.
This type of pathology does not usually present many complications, but it is always recommended to go to a specialist to check our pet.
keratitis
Keratitis is an inflammation of the cornea that may or may not be due to infection. The clearest symptoms are tearing, photophobia, and, in very severe cases, partial loss of vision.
bleeding
A strong blow can cause a hemorrhage, to know its severity it is important to go to the veterinarian to assess the damage.
Why does my dog have blue eyes?
If you notice that your dog’s eye is covered by a small thin bluish or grayish layer, it is recommended that you go to your veterinary clinic.
Diseases that can cause blue eyes are cataracts, iridocyclitis, nuclear sclerosis, or glaucoma.
waterfalls
Cataracts are common with the passage of age. However, other factors can determine its origin, such as blows, inflammation of the eye, diabetes, injuries, etc.
iridocyclitis
It is an acute or chronic inflammation of the iris. This disease can cause pain in our pets, photophobia and vision problems.
nuclear sclerosis
Nuclear sclerosis is a progressive degeneration of the lens related to the age of our pets that, in many cases, can be confused with cataracts. For this reason, it is advisable to go to the veterinary specialist and carry out an analysis of our dog.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma progressively damages the optic nerve, which causes a loss of vision in our pets. It is important to diagnose it early since in advanced stages it causes irritability and pain that can lead to aggressive behavior.
My dog has white eyes, what’s wrong?
Sometimes, we can see that our pet’s eye is covered by a whitish web. Some of the most common causes correspond to the cherry eye and ulcerative keratitis; but also, conditions mentioned above such as cataracts or glaucoma.
Paresis in the eyelid or cherry eye
As we said at the beginning, one of the differences with the human eye is that dogs have a third eyelid that is hidden. It fulfills a protective and moisturizing function, so when we see the third eyelid it will be an indication that our pet has an eye problem.
Cherry eye consists of a prolapse of the nictitating gland and appears when there is weakness in the third eyelid.
This alteration requires to be treated by the veterinary ophthalmologist.
ulcerative keratitis
This inflammation causes the eye to be covered with a white cloud and is usually very painful for our pets.
As we always say, if you notice any strange or unusual symptoms in your pet, do not hesitate to take it to the vet and, if necessary, go to the emergency vet.
