Dogs typically adapt well to losing vision as long as the environment remains the same, however if their behavior or appearance change you should contact a vet immediately for evaluation.
Early diagnosis can often help treat conditions causing blindness in animals, so keeping an eye out for signs your pup might be losing his or her eyesight, such as bumping into things or becoming disoriented within your home.
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Glaucoma
Glaucoma typically affects middle-aged dogs, and is most prevalent among breeds that carry a genetic predisposition. In this condition, normal fluid drainage from the eyes becomes disrupted due to increased pressure due to an improper drainage system resulting in increased intraocular pressure that disrupts normal fluid outflow from their eyes and disrupts vision over time. Dogs with glaucoma are at an increased risk for cataract formation as well as losing vision over time.
Your vet can use an instrument known as a tonometer to diagnose glaucoma in your pet, by measuring pressure when gently touching their eyes. If the pressure levels are excessively high, they may recommend surgery to drain fluid out from their eyes and drain away excess pressure.
Medications will also be prescribed in order to lower eye pressure; these drugs must be taken on an ongoing basis for maximum effect. In severe or advanced cases when medications fail to do the trick, surgical options such as enucleation surgery may also be considered; your veterinarian or veterinary ophthalmologist can discuss all available solutions with you before suggesting further investigations including MRI and CT scans of your central nervous system in order to identify any glaucoma triggers.
Progressive retinal atrophy
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a group of degenerative diseases that impact photoreceptor cells in the retina, eventually leading to blindness in dogs with this condition. PRA is non-painful for most affected animals and most adapt well with limited or no vision.
Hereditary canine cataracts (HVCs) can be found in most breeds of domesticated dogs. Initially it involves night vision loss that progresses into day vision loss in both eyes; typically this disorder appears in middle-aged to senior dogs.
PRA symptoms in dogs include difficulty in dark areas, bumping into things and an overall lack of confidence when moving around. You may notice your pet’s pupils dilation more than normal and their eyes displaying a characteristic sheen. Diagnosis of PRA requires eye examination, electroretinography and genetic testing; gene therapy approaches have also been developed that introduce normal copies of the CNGB1 gene into retinas of affected dogs to restore vision.
SARDS
SARDS (Subacute Retinal Degeneration Syndrome) is a sudden disease affecting the retina (which detects light). Although its cause remains unknown, evidence points towards autoimmunity as infection-fighting cells from your own body attack the retina causing its death.
Disease causes blindness quickly; most dogs become completely blind within days to weeks of showing any initial symptoms. They still appear normal during veterinary exams as their eyes do not look visibly abnormal until photoreceptors stop functioning normally.
Your primary care veterinarian or veterinary ophthalmologist may suggest testing for SARDS with an electroretinogram (ERG). This tool flashes bright lights directly at your dog’s eyes, measuring how their brain electrical response to these flashing lights.
Your dog should adjust well to losing his vision and live a fulfilling and full life despite becoming blind. While they may become less playful at first, most adapt to being visually impaired quickly and go on to live fulfilling lives with amazing quality of life.
PRA
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), the leading cause of dog blindness, is most frequently to blame. This genetic disease begins as gradual vision loss that gradually affects one or both eyes; specifically the retina’s light-sensitive cells known as photoreceptors which transmit light information directly to the brain which then interprets a visual image.
PRA is an inherited disorder caused by mutations to the retinal gene. It most frequently affects Dachshunds and Miniature Schnauzers.
Animals affected may experience night blindness or difficulty in dim light, losing spatial awareness and bumping into furniture or having difficulty using stairs. While dogs that become blind gradually adjust well to living with less vision and lead happy lives, sudden vision loss should always be treated as an emergency by visiting their vet for immediate examination and history taking.
