Cloudy Spots in a Dog's Eye

Dog owners tend to think the worst every time something unusual appears on their pets. If a cloudy spot appears in a dog's eye, glaucoma is the first thing to run through an owner's mind -- but nothing is further from the truth. While glaucoma is a possibility, many things can cause cloudiness in a dog's eyes. Your veterinarian can help you determine the cause of cloudy spots in your dog's eye.

  1. Cataracts

    • According to PetWave.com, the term "cataract" refers to any opacity, regardless of size, of the lens of the eye. Cataracts typically develop due to age, nutritional deficiency, diabetes mellitus, toxin exposure and other external factors; however, they also can occur at birth or when the dog is a puppy. Cataracts are characterized by cloudy or blue-gray areas in the dog's pupils in one or both eyes. Dogs with cataracts may bump into walls or may start drinking more water if their cataracts are related to diabetes.

    Corneal Dystrophy

    • Corneal dystrophy is an inherited condition that, according to Zigler Veterinary Professional Corporation, "appears as gray-white, crystalline or metallic opacities in the center of the cornea or close to the periphery." It can occur as early as 4 months of age and as late as the early teens. Corneal dystrophy is not generally painful; however, it may cause painful corneal ulcerations in some breeds. Corneal dystrophy is not treatable, although surgery can remove the opacities. While blindness is a common result of corneal dystrophy, this condition does not always lead to blindness.

    Glaucoma

    • Glaucoma is a condition in which the internal pressure of the eyeball becomes excessive. This excessive pressure is due to the failure of fluid to flow normally from the back of the eye. Glaucoma can be a primary disease or a secondary disease, meaning that it can occur independent of another disease or condition or another disease or condition can cause it. Glaucoma is extremely serious, and you must treat it immediately after you first observe it.

    Injury

    • Ocular trauma, also known as ocular injury, can occur in many ways. Corneal laceration, particularly from cat scratches and bites to the dog's face, are common injuries that can cause cloudiness, ulcerations and even glaucoma. Tears and ruptured tissue are characteristics, but not the only characteristics, of injury to the eye.

    Keratitis

    • Your dog may have keratitis if it has cloudy corneas in combination with excessive tearing, squinting or light sensitivity. Two of the many kinds of keratitis -- ulcerative and interstitial keratitis -- cause white or whitish-blue coloration to appear in the eye. Ulcerative keratitis is associated with corneal ulcer, while interstitial keratitis is a viral disease. Both of these conditions require veterinary attention.