Home Eye Problems

Dog Eye Problems

By the Dog Health Handbook team · Updated · Fact-checked against current veterinary references (see sources)

Key takeaways

  • Squinting, a cloudy or bulging eye, or sudden blindness needs a vet the same day.
  • Many eye diseases worsen quickly; glaucoma can blind within hours.
  • Flat-faced breeds have more ulcers, dry eye and eyes popping out.
  • Don't use human eye drops; clean only with sterile saline.
  • Otherwise healthy blind dogs usually adapt well with a steady home routine.

Table of Contents

Research Signs Conditions Breeds at risk Eye exams Home care Blind dogs FAQ Sources

Dog Eye Quicklinks

Eye Problems Red Eyes Watery Eyes Dry Eye Swollen Eyes Eye Injuries Eye Infections Eye Discharge Conjunctivitis Eye Drops Eye Wash Eye Tumors Eye Surgery

Most eye problems in dogs show up as one or more of these signs:1,2,3

  • Redness
  • Squinting or holding the eye shut
  • Watering or discharge
  • Cloudiness
  • Swelling or a bulging eye
  • The third eyelid showing
  • Pawing or rubbing at the eye

Many eye diseases get worse quickly, so it's best to see your vet promptly rather than wait.4,5 Painful red eyes and sudden blindness are the two most common eye emergencies.6 Flat-faced breeds such as Pugs, Shih Tzus and Bulldogs have more eye problems than other dogs.7,2,8 Don't use human eye drops, especially redness relievers. At home, only clean around the eye with sterile saline or a warm, damp cloth.9,10

Go to your vet or an emergency clinic right away if:

  • Your dog's eye has come out of its socket, or the eye has been badly injured1,11
  • A chemical has splashed in the eye. Flush it with lukewarm water or saline for at least 15 to 20 minutes first.12,13
  • Your dog suddenly seems blind, bumps into things, or one eye looks cloudy, blue or enlarged6,14,5
  • Your dog is squinting, holding an eye shut or pawing at it, especially a flat-faced breed2,15,16

What the Research Says

  • Flat-faced dogs have many eye problems. In a study of 93 flat-faced dogs seen at an eye clinic, 44% had corneal ulcers, 35% had pigment on the cornea and 22% had eyelids that rolled inward.17
  • Small differences in face shape matter. A 10% wider eyelid opening more than triples the risk of a corneal ulcer, and dogs with nose folds are nearly 5 times as likely to get one.7
  • Glaucoma can blind quickly. In sudden glaucoma, damage to the optic nerve is usually permanent within a few hours.5,14
  • Dry eye is far more common in some breeds. In over 360,000 UK dogs, flat-faced dogs had 3.6 times the odds of dry eye of dogs with medium-length faces.8

Signs and What They Can Mean

SignCommon causes
Red eyeConjunctivitis, allergies, dry eye, ulcers, inflammation inside the eye (uveitis), glaucoma, eyelid problems, bleeding. See red eyes.
Squinting or eye held shutPain from a scratch or ulcer, a foreign body, uveitis or glaucoma. See eye injuries.
Watery eyes or tear stainsIrritation, allergies, eyelid or eyelash problems, blocked tear ducts. See watery eyes.
Thick or colored dischargeDry eye, conjunctivitis, infection. See eye discharge and dry eye.
Swelling or bulgingAllergic reactions, eyelid inflammation, an abscess behind the eye, glaucoma. See swollen eyes.
Cloudy eyeCorneal swelling, ulcers, uveitis, glaucoma, cataracts, normal aging of the lens. See cloudy eyes.
Third eyelid showingCherry eye, Horner's syndrome, pain, illness or dehydration. See third eyelid.

Sources: VCA, the Merck Veterinary Manual and IVIS proceedings.1,6,18,19,20,21,14,22,23

Common Eye Conditions in Dogs

  • Conjunctivitis (pink eye): redness and discharge, often from allergies or dry eye rather than a primary infection. See conjunctivitis and eye infections.20,24
  • Dry eye (KCS): too few tears, causing thick discharge, redness and pain. One of the most common eye conditions in dogs.20,25
  • Corneal ulcers and scratches: painful sores on the clear front of the eye. See corneal ulcers.15,21
  • Eyelid problems: eyelids that roll in (entropion) or extra eyelashes that rub the eye.26,27
  • Glaucoma: painful high pressure inside the eye that can cause blindness. See glaucoma.14,18
  • Cataracts: clouding of the lens. See cataracts.
  • Cherry eye: a red lump in the inner corner from a slipped tear gland. See cherry eye.19,28

Breeds Prone to Eye Problems

Flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds such as Pugs, Shih Tzus, Pekingese, French and English Bulldogs and Boston Terriers have shallow eye sockets and prominent eyes. Many can't close their eyelids fully, especially while asleep, so the cornea dries out.29,2,7 They're more prone to:7,17,29

  • Corneal ulcers, which can get worse quickly
  • Dark pigment spreading across the cornea
  • Dry eye
  • Eyes popping out of the socket after minor injury

Specialists advise a tear test at yearly checkups for these breeds. Surgery to narrow the eyelid opening can help the eye close.7,29 Other breeds have their own risks. For example, Shar Peis and Chow Chows are prone to inward-rolling eyelids, and American Cocker Spaniels to dry eye.26,8

How Vets Examine Eyes

  • Schirmer tear test: a paper strip under the lid measures tear production.3
  • Fluorescein stain: an orange dye that turns green on scratches and ulcers.3,15
  • Eye pressure (tonometry): a quick, painless check for glaucoma. Normal pressure in dogs is about 15 to 25 mm Hg.3,16
  • A light, magnification and an ophthalmoscope to look inside the eye. Some dogs need sedation.3

Your vet may refer you to a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist for glaucoma, cataracts, retinal disease, severe injuries, eye tumors, or problems that aren't improving. You can also contact a specialist directly.4

Home Eye Care

  • Clean gently: rinse with plain sterile saline, and soften crusts with a warm, damp cloth for 5 to 15 minutes before wiping them away.10
  • Don't use human eye drops or contact lens solution. Redness-relief drops are dangerous if swallowed, even in small amounts.9,10
  • Use only medicines your vet prescribes, and never use leftover steroid drops. They can make an ulcer much worse.15
  • Stop rubbing with a cone (e-collar) until your dog is seen.30,31

A red, painful or cloudy eye needs a vet exam before any treatment, because the wrong drops can make some problems much worse.15,4

Living With a Blind Dog

Blindness is often harder on owners than on dogs. Blind dogs that are otherwise healthy usually adapt well and lead a fairly normal life with a few changes:32

  • Speak as you approach, and teach cues like "stop" and "step up"
  • Keep furniture, food, water and bedding in the same places
  • Gate stairs and pools
  • Use toys that make noise or have a scent
  • Keep your dog leashed or in a fenced area outdoors

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my dog's eye problem is serious?

Squinting, a cloudy or bulging eye, sudden blindness, injury or a chemical splash need care the same day.

Can I treat my dog's eye problem at home?

Only gentle cleaning with saline. Red or painful eyes need a vet exam first.

What human eye drops are safe for dogs?

None without your vet's advice. Plain sterile saline is fine for rinsing.

Which dog breeds have the most eye problems?

Flat-faced breeds such as Pugs, Shih Tzus, Pekingese and Bulldogs.

Can dogs live happily if they go blind?

Yes. Blind dogs that are otherwise healthy usually adapt well with a consistent home and routine.

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Sources and further reading

This article was rewritten and fact-checked on October 27, 2026 against current veterinary references and specialist guidelines:

  1. VCA Animal Hospitals. Eye issues (urgent care).
  2. Packer R. Eye problems in brachycephalic dogs. The Kennel Club. Accessed October 2026.
  3. Gelatt KN. Eye structure and function in dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual (pet owner version), updated May 2025.
  4. American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists. The referral process. Accessed October 2026.
  5. Villagrasa M. Ocular Emergencies. Southern European Veterinary Conference, Barcelona, 2007 (IVIS).
  6. Pot SA. Ocular emergencies: rapid assessment and first response. European Veterinary Conference Voorjaarsdagen, 2018. Conference proceedings hosted by IVIS.
  7. Plummer CE. Understanding and addressing brachycephalic ocular syndrome. Today's Veterinary Practice, April 2026.
  8. O'Neill DG, Brodbelt DC, Keddy A, Church DB, Sanchez RF. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca in dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK: an epidemiological study. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 2021.
  9. Pet Poison Helpline. Imidazoline decongestants, May 2026.
  10. American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists. How to clean your pet's eyes.
  11. Thomasy SM. Proptosis in animals. Merck Veterinary Manual, July 2024.
  12. ASPCApro. Vet tech corner: ocular decontamination. ASPCA, 2015, updated February 2024.
  13. Bradley C. Chemical injuries in corneas. Vet Times, July 2018.
  14. Gelatt KN. Glaucoma in dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual (pet owner version), updated September 2024.
  15. Barnes C, Weir M, Ward E. Corneal ulcers in dogs. VCA Animal Hospitals, July 2025.
  16. Ollivier F. Ocular emergencies. WSAVA World Congress proceedings, 2019.
  17. Costa J, Steinmetz A, Delgado E. Clinical signs of brachycephalic ocular syndrome in 93 dogs. Irish Veterinary Journal, 2021.
  18. Williams DL. Diagnosing and Treating the Red Eye. Southern European Veterinary Conference, Barcelona, 2013 (IVIS).
  19. Ofri R. Lacrimal System and Third Eyelid Diseases. European Veterinary Conference Voorjaarsdagen, Amsterdam, 2008 (IVIS).
  20. Davidson M. Dry Eye and Other Causes of Conjunctivitis in Dogs. Southern European Veterinary Conference, Granada, 2016 (IVIS).
  21. Gelatt KN. Disorders of the cornea in dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual (pet owner version), updated September 2024.
  22. Gelatt KN. Disorders of the orbit in dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual (pet owner version), updated September 2024.
  23. Gelatt KN. Disorders of the lens in dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual (pet owner version), updated April 2026.
  24. Barnes C, Hunter T, Ward E. Conjunctivitis in dogs. VCA Animal Hospitals, May 2023.
  25. Haeussler DJ, Korb C. Dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca). American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.
  26. Bromberg NM. Entropion. American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.
  27. Mosunic CB. Distichia. American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.
  28. Veterinary Vision Center. Seeing red: here's what to do when your pet's third eyelid pops up, November 2024.
  29. Wotman K. Brachycephalic ocular syndrome. CSU Veterinary Health System, Colorado State University, January 2021.
  30. Baxter R, Fox K, Edwards T, Oh A. K9 clinical practice guideline: ocular injuries (K9 CPG 15). Joint Trauma System, US Department of Defense, December 2025.
  31. Lort Smith Animal Hospital. Foreign body in the eye in dogs, updated March 2025.
  32. Korb C, Haeussler DJ. Living with a blind pet. American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.

About this article

Last updated : rewritten using the Merck Veterinary Manual, the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, WSAVA and IVIS proceedings and studies published 2021 to 2026.

This page is for general information and is not a substitute for an exam by your veterinarian.