About Corneal Dystrophy in Dogs

Corneal dystrophy is an inherited disease in dogs that can occur at any point in their lives but most often occurs between the ages of 5 and 11. Corneal dystrophy occurs when fatty deposits collect within the cornea of the eye. While this condition can be frustrating, it is not considered to be life-threatening, and nearly all dogs can continue to live a normal, healthy life.

  1. Effects

    • When corneal dystrophy occurs, there is a malfunction of the inner layer of the cornea. This inner layer normally flushes out buildups and keeps the cornea clean and dry. In corneal dystrophy, this mechanism no longer functions, which results in a buildup of cholesterol deposits within the eye of the affected dog. Usually, this condition occurs in both eyes, and the deposits are often symmetrical.

    Change in Color

    • One of the most common symptoms of corneal dystrophy is a change in color or appearance of the affected eye. Some dogs will develop a milky appearance in the cornea of the eye. This milky development can range from white to an almost blue color. This milky appearance will usually develop in one portion of the cornea before spreading to the other portions. This is called endothelial dystrophy.

    Deposits

    • In the beginning stages, deposits are likely to go unnoticed because of their size. When deposits occur, they can be localized or they can spread throughout the entire cornea. These deposits are cholesterol buildups and can vary in color from white to grey. Usually the deposits are oval- or doughnut-shaped and can occur in one or both eyes.

    Blindness

    • Most dogs will not develop a case of full-blown blindness due to corneal dystrophy, but they will have slight visual blockages due to the deposits. However, blindness depends on many factors, including how fast the disease progresses. Some breeds of dogs, such as huskies, Boston terriers, Chihuahuas, Airedale terriers and Dachshunds are at an increased risk of losing their vision.

    Treatment

    • There is no known effective treatment for corneal dystrophy. A veterinarian can perform surgery to remove the cholesterol deposits; however, the condition will simply reoccur, and the cholesterol deposits will return soon after surgery. Surgery also presents greater risks and increases the chance of blindness.