Eye Problems in Pets: Conjunctivitis, Cataracts, and More
Eye problems in dogs and cats range from mild conjunctivitis to serious conditions like glaucoma. Learn to recognize the warning signs early.
眼睛问题是宠物主人去看兽医的最常见原因之一。从轻微的结膜炎到青光眼和白内障等严重疾病，眼睛问题可能会影响所有年龄和品种的宠物。在澳门潮湿的气候下，眼部感染尤其常见。早期识别和治疗可以挽救宠物的视力。
要点
- Eye problems are one of the top 10 reasons pets visit the vet
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is the most common eye condition in pets
- Corneal ulcers are painful and require immediate treatment
- Glaucoma is a sight-threatening emergency in both dogs and cats
- Cataracts cause lens opacity and may lead to blindness
- Many eye conditions can be managed if caught early
Common Eye Problems in Dogs
Dogs commonly suffer from conjunctivitis (red, inflamed eyes with discharge), dry eye or KCS (insufficient tear production causing thick discharge), corneal ulcers (painful scratches on the eye surface often from trauma), glaucoma (increased eye pressure causing pain and blindness), and cataracts (cloudy lenses, especially common in older dogs and diabetic dogs). Brachycephalic breeds like Pugs and French Bulldogs are prone to eye problems due to their shallow eye sockets.
Common Eye Problems in Cats
Cats often present with conjunctivitis caused by feline herpesvirus (FHV-1), especially during periods of stress. Corneal sequestrum (a dark dead piece of cornea, common in Persian and Himalayan cats), glaucoma, and high blood pressure-related eye issues (retinal detachment or bleeding from kidney disease or hyperthyroidism) are also frequent. Upper respiratory infections in cats frequently cause eye symptoms such as squinting and discharge.
When It's an Emergency
Some eye problems require immediate veterinary attention: sudden blindness or bumping into things, a visibly cloudy or differently coloured eye, pawing at the eye or squinting (signs of pain), green or yellow discharge, a bulging eye or visible injury to the eye surface, and bleeding inside the eye. Glaucoma can cause irreversible vision loss within 24-48 hours, so prompt treatment is critical.
Prevention and Home Care
Regularly wipe away discharge with a damp soft cloth, keeping the area around the eyes clean. Trim long facial hair that may irritate the eyes. Protect your pet's eyes during car rides (head out the window can cause debris injuries). For pets prone to dry eye, daily eye drops as prescribed by your vet can maintain tear production. Never use human eye drops on your pet without veterinary approval.
何时立即去看兽医
- Your pet is squinting or keeping one eye closed
- Redness or swelling around the eye
- Cloudy or discoloured cornea
- Excessive tearing or thick discharge
- Pawing at the face or eye
- Sudden vision loss or bumping into objects
RVC 如何提供帮助
在 RVC，我们的兽医团队可以诊断和治疗多种眼部疾病。我们拥有眼科设备，包括用于详细眼睛检查的裂隙灯、用于测量眼压的眼压计、用于检测角膜溃疡的荧光素染色以及用于检查眼睛后部的检眼镜。我们治疗感染、治疗青光眼、进行眼科手术，并为慢性眼病提供持续护理。请致电 +853 6677 6611 进行眼科检查。
+853 6677 6611