Unfortunately, vision loss in dogs is usually permanent. Veterinary ophthalmologists are currently working towards restoring sight in as many ways as possible and hope that research into gene therapy will aid recovery in the near future.

Retinal degenerations are one of the leading causes of blindness among dogs, and can vary considerably in terms of onset and progression between breeds.

Corneal Endothelial Degeneration (CED)

Symptoms include progressive opacification of the corneal epithelium with a bluish appearance. Although initially the opacity may only affect the epithelium, eventually it may spread through to involve all layers and lead to nonhealing ulcers in the corneal stroma and nonhealing ulcers that require non-healing treatments such as pachymetry. Slit lamp biomicroscopy and pachymetry provide accurate diagnoses while infection often complicates outcomes with ulcers of this nature; infections typically indicate poor prognoses when diagnosing these ulcers with infections being frequent factors in these cases.

If a corneal ulcer is present, topical antibiotics should be the initial line of defense. Frequent (every 2 hours during waking hours and every 4 hours overnight) dosing of topical medication is critical for success. Topical ophthalmic steroid drops can also be used as needed to alleviate inflammation pain while dilatting pupil to prevent adhesion between corneal tissue and the iris (Figure 2).

Biopsy should always be undertaken in order to ascertain the source of an opacification. A nonadherent lip of epithelium surrounding a superficial corneal ulcer is indicative of simple keratitis (Figure 1). Conversely, infected ulcers often present with creamy infiltrates at their margins and gelatinous texture deep within stromal layers that indicate melting ulcers (Figure 2).

Histopathologic findings of CED may include intraepithelial vesicles and bullae, an aberrant Bowman layer between epithelium and stroma and possibly metaplasia of epithelium. Metaplasia of epithelium may also occur occasionally. Fuchs endothelial dystrophy is another subtype of CED that features dense blueish-black stroma with concomitant keratoconus and hypoplasia.

Studies have demonstrated that corneal collagen cross-linking following superficial keratectomy (SK) can significantly decrease corneal opacity in dogs with Fuchs’ CD. However, further interventions such as Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty or combination treatment with both SK and CXL will likely be required for significant improvements to corneal transparency.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

Your dog’s retina is an organ located at the back of their eye that converts light reflected off their lens into electrical nerve signals via optic nerve. These electrical nerve signals then travel down optic nerve to brain where they are perceived as vision. Retinal photoreceptors specialize in either black and white/night vision or color vision with rods responsible for black/white areas or cones for color vision allowing color vision. Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is an inherited disease which targets rods specifically.

PRA symptoms in German Shepherds include gradual vision loss over a number of months or years. Affected German Shepherds may begin bumping into objects or having difficulty walking down hallways, eventually becoming blinder as time progresses. Your pet may also become reluctant to venture outside at night or unfamiliar places and will lose his ability to follow you down stairs.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy cannot be cured. To help your pet adjust, providing them with a stable environment and taking him for short walks during the day when his vision improves will help him cope better. Furthermore, regular health check-ups will allow you to monitor his eyesight as his condition worsens.

As soon as your German Shepherd becomes blind, they must adapt to life without sight. Most dogs do well adjusting, with many going unassisted by anyone. Teaching him where certain items are located will ensure he can find them easily when necessary; also important is teaching not to jump off furniture or stairs which could injure or restrict their vision.

Your vet will advise the best course of action to help your dog adapt to his loss of vision, while suggesting ways to minimize risk. Leash-walking when outside will reduce risk; fencing or doors that block off areas he might fall can also be effective barriers, along with barricading staircases as barriers.

Retinal Detachment

Inflammation of the retina may cause it to detach from its supporting layer, known as the choroid, leading to permanent vision loss if untreated. Retinal detachments typically manifest themselves by sudden or gradual appearance of floaters (little spots in your field of vision) or curtains obscuring vision – this medical emergency requires prompt treatment from a retina specialist as soon as possible.

Retinal reattachment surgery is the preferred treatment among most veterinary ophthalmologists. This delicate process entails draining the fluid accumulating beneath the retina using gas or silicone oil; then using photocoagulation or cryopexy to tack back in place the retinal layers.

Ophthalmologists typically utilize a microscope during this procedure, enabling the surgeon to observe the retina from behind. A thorough examination of peripheral retina is often undertaken as well, to detect any breaks in it that need treatment. Sometimes scleral depression must be used to gain clear views of peripheral retina in order to assess extent of detached retinal. Furthermore, photographs and optical coherence tomography scans of retina may prove invaluable tools in diagnosing retinal problems.

An intact male chocolate Labrador retriever presented for evaluation of sudden-onset blindness lasting one month. At examination, he was alert with dilated pupils. Ophthalmologic examination revealed diffuse retinal detachments OU with extensive hemorrhaging and vitreous separation.

Between 2005 and 2009, our surgical center conducted pars plana vitrectomy with perfluorooctane-silicone oil exchange and endolaser retinopexy for treating retinal detachment (RD). Clinical information such as signalment, blindness duration before intervention, lensectomy procedures performed prior to surgical intervention, time from diagnosis of RD to surgical intervention and any postoperative complications were collected for each dog who underwent reattachment surgery with success rates of 90% or higher for all cases of retinal detachment surgery success rates

Cataracts

Cataracts are an eye condition characterized by the loss of transparency of the lens that leads to impaired vision. Although cataracts are commonly associated with ageing processes and may even have been present at birth, cataracts may also arise as a result of hereditary factors or diseases like diabetes mellitus, glaucoma or trauma and infection.

Cataract surgery has an excellent success rate. Phacoemulsification, the most widely practiced form of cataract removal surgery for pets and people alike, involves making a small incision and inserting an ultrasonic vibrating probe to break apart and dislodge cataractous deposits from within their eyeballs to make removal simpler and quicker. Just like in humans, this surgery method is highly successful at improving dog’s eyesight; less invasive than extracapsular extraction procedures it can even be performed right in their home with experienced veterinarian ophthalmologists performing it!

Extracapsular cataract and lens extraction, the removal of cataracts through extracapsular lens capsule, is another less invasive surgical option available to veterinarians, which involves extracting them through internal capsule. However, this procedure requires hospitalization under general anesthesia. Both procedures carry long term risks, including glaucoma (which can be treated using medication) and retinal detachments which may become blinding; retinal tears and detachments occur at an exceptionally low rate in most patients undergoing cataract surgery but should be immediately identified and addressed to preserve vision for their pet’s vision.

Hereditary cataracts are a prevalent issue among certain breeds of dogs, such as Miniature Schnauzers, Boston Terriers and Cocker Spaniels. When these cataracts deteriorate and lead to blindness they are most often observed among older animals with diabetes mellitus or as the result of inflammation or infection of the eye (uveitis).

Some inherited cataracts may be linked to gene mutations that interfere with an enzyme responsible for producing keratan sulfate, an essential carbohydrate which makes up the cornea and keeps it clear. This type of cataract, called corneal dystrophy, can usually be diagnosed by an experienced veterinarian ophthalmologist by using various means including examination under slit lamp/funduscopic exam as well as analysis under microscope to detect any potential opacities present on corneal tissue samples.