Ophthalmic Care
Your pet’s eyes are delicate and highly sensitive structures that play an important role in their comfort, wellbeing, and quality of life. At Bohle Veterinary Surgery, we diagnose and manage a wide range of eye and eyelid conditions in dogs and cats, from minor irritations through to more serious and vision-threatening diseases.
Eye problems can develop suddenly and may worsen rapidly if left untreated. Early diagnosis and treatment are often critical to preserving vision and reducing pain or long-term complications.
Common Signs of Eye Problems
Pets experiencing eye discomfort or vision issues may show signs such as:
- Red or bloodshot eyes
- Squinting or excessive blinking
- Pawing or rubbing at the eyes
- Excessive tearing or discharge
- Swelling around the eyes
- Cloudiness or colour changes in the eye
- Sensitivity to light
- Holding the eye closed
- Vision loss or bumping into objects
Because eye conditions can deteriorate quickly, veterinary attention is recommended whenever these signs are noticed.
Common Eye Conditions in Dogs and Cats
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis refers to inflammation of the tissues surrounding the eye and is one of the most common eye conditions seen in pets.
Signs may include:
- Redness
- Eye discharge
- Swelling
- Squinting
- Rubbing at the eyes
Conjunctivitis may be caused by infections, allergies, irritants, trauma, dry eye, or underlying disease.
Corneal Ulcers
A corneal ulcer is a scratch or wound on the surface of the eye. Corneal ulcers can be extremely painful and may occur following trauma, foreign material, dry eye, or eyelid abnormalities.
Signs often include:
- Squinting
- Excessive tearing
- Cloudiness
- Pain
- Sensitivity to light
Without prompt treatment, ulcers can worsen rapidly and may threaten vision.
Dry Eye (Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca)
Dry eye occurs when the eye does not produce enough tears to keep the surface healthy and lubricated.
This can result in:
- Thick discharge
- Redness
- Irritation
- Recurrent infections
- Corneal damage
Dry eye is more common in some dog breeds and often requires lifelong management.
Cataracts
Cataracts occur when the lens inside the eye becomes cloudy, affecting vision.
Cataracts may develop due to:
- Ageing
- Diabetes
- Genetics
- Inflammation or injury
Some cataracts progress slowly, while others may lead to significant vision loss.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a serious condition caused by increased pressure within the eye. It is extremely painful and can rapidly lead to blindness if not treated promptly.
Signs may include:
- Redness
- Cloudiness
- Eye enlargement
- Severe pain
- Sudden vision loss
Glaucoma is considered a veterinary emergency.
Cherry Eye and Eyelid Conditions
Some pets develop problems affecting the eyelids or tear glands, including:
- Cherry eye
- Entropion (rolling inward eyelids)
- Ectropion (drooping eyelids)
- Eyelid tumours or growths
These conditions may cause irritation, discharge, corneal damage, or ongoing discomfort and sometimes require surgical correction.
Eye Conditions in Cats
Cats may develop many of the same eye conditions as dogs, however viral infections such as feline herpesvirus are also a common cause of chronic eye disease in cats.
Signs can include:
- Sneezing
- Eye discharge
- Conjunctivitis
- Corneal ulcers
- Squinting
Because cats are very good at hiding pain, eye disease may sometimes appear subtle despite significant discomfort.
How We Diagnose Eye Conditions
Our veterinarians perform thorough ophthalmic examinations and may use specialised tests including:
- Fluorescein staining to check for ulcers
- Tear production testing
- Eye pressure measurements
- Examination of the eyelids and tear ducts
- Assessment of vision and pupil responses
Some conditions may require referral for advanced ophthalmic procedures or specialist care.