Signs of Dry Eye
The appearance of Dry Eye can be varied and subtle, especially in the early stages. If your dog has any of the following signs, you should make an appointment with your veterinarian.
Blinking
Blinking or rubbing eyes excessively.
Trying to keep eyes closed
Redness
Bloodshot appearance
and inflammation
Discharge
Discharge from
the eyes
Dull appearance
Dull or
dry appearance
Conjunctivitis
Frequent conjunctivitis, eye infections
or corneal ulcers
Dark pigment
Dark pigment on the surface
of the eyes
Please note: the eyes of some dogs affected by Dry Eye look quite normal, despite severely reduced tear production and destruction of the tear glands. Being aware of the signs is a big step in getting it diagnosed early before too much tear tissue is destroyed and adverse changes to the eye develop. Veterinary specialists in ophthalmology recommend testing virtually all sore eyes for Dry Eye to make sure it’s caught early.
Causes of Tear Stains
Here are five common causes:
Porphyrin
This is a pigment excreted in tears, saliva and urine. Porphyrins are iron-containing molecules produced when the body breaks down iron. All dogs have some porphyrin in their tears, but some dogs have more than others.
Environment
Water that is high in iron may be responsible for the staining. Dogs may also have adverse reactions to plastic food bowls. You may see signs of redness and inflammation around your dog’s eyes, ears, nose and lips which can be mistaken for tear stains.
Abnormal
Lashes and Ducts
Eyelashes can rub on and irritate the surface of the eye due to a condition where your dog’s eyelids fold inward, called entropion. The eye responds by producing more tears than normal. Further, if the tear duct isn’t emptying into the nasal cavity properly, your dog may develop tear stains. Clogged tear ducts can also be the culprit.
Genetics
Certain breeds of dogs are more susceptible to tear stains, and dogs with light-colored fur will have more obvious tear-staining than will darker dogs. Breeds commonly susceptible to tear stains include the Maltese, Shih Tzu and Poodle. Short-nosed (brachycephalic) dogs can be prone as well due to the way the eyes fit into the socket and the configuration of the muzzle, which can cause the tears to accumulate instead of flowing through the ducts and draining away.
Infection
An infection of the skin around the eyes can cause symptoms that look like tear stains in dogs. If the stain is brownish in color, it’s possible it might be caused by yeast rather than bacteria. A veterinarian should properly diagnose the infection. Infections can also develop due to the chronic dampness that can occur with tear staining.
Causes of Inflammation
& Irritation
Conjunctivitis
The most common eye problem, this occurs when the mucus membranes of the eye become inflamed and itchy
Glaucoma
A much more serious condition caused by increased pressure within the eye itself
Foreign object
in the eye
Scratched
cornea
Entropion
when the eyelashes are
turned inward instead of outward, causing the eye to tear, become irritated, and ultimately infected, if not treated
Causes of Inflammation
& Irritation
Conjunctivitis
The most common eye problem, this occurs when the mucus membranes of the eye become inflamed and itchy
Glaucoma
A much more serious condition caused by increased pressure within the eye itself
Foreign object
in the eye
Scratched
cornea
Entropion
when the eyelashes are turned inward instead of outward, causing the eye to tear, become irritated, and ultimately infected, if not treated
