Tag Archives: cataracts in dogs

Does My Dog Need to See an Eye Doctor?

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Many dog owners wonder, does my dog need to see an eye doctor, especially when their dog’s eyes begin to change with age. For us, the question became real when we noticed Blue Belle’s eyesight shifting as her cataracts progressed. After talking with her oncologist, Dr. Hume, we were referred to the ophthalmology team at her clinic.

Why Your Dog Might Need to See an Eye Doctor

Dogs can develop a variety of eye issues as they age, and some of them benefit from specialist care. If you’re wondering does my dog need to see an eye doctor, here are some signs:

  • Cloudiness or whitening of the lens
  • Hesitation in new environments or bumping into objects
  • Redness, squinting, or excessive tearing
  • Sudden changes in behavior, such as clinginess or anxiety
  • A “blue haze” or visible changes in the pupils
  • Difficulty seeing in low light

Cataracts are one of the most common reasons senior dogs see an eye specialist, but they’re not the only one. An ophthalmologist can help determine what’s happening and what options exist.

What Happens at a Dog Eye Doctor Appointment

Dog eye exam with veterinary assistant helping Blue Belle stay comfortable.
Blue Belle staying calm while the ophthalmology team begins her eye exam.

From the moment we entered the exam room, we felt the team’s kindness. Blue Belle was helped onto a soft mat and allowed to sit or stand however she felt most comfortable. Three team members assisted with the exam, moving calmly and gently around her.

The initial exam included:

  • A close look at her eyes with a handheld instrument
  • A check of her eye pressure (which was good — a relief)
  • Turning off the lights to look deeper into the eye
  • A stain test to check for corneal ulcers
  • An eye wash to clear the stain

They explained each step and answered our questions along the way. Blue Belle panted loudly from the excitement, but she stayed calm, and they took wonderful care of her.

After taking a few photos of her eyes, the team stepped out to update Dr. Pederson before returning together.

Cataracts in Dogs: What Owners Should Know About Dog Eye Health

Dr. Pederson examined Blue Belle and confirmed cataracts in both eyes — more advanced in the left than the right.

We talked about cataract surgery, and I asked whether older dogs can still be candidates. Dr. Pederson explained that age alone isn’t a reason to avoid surgery; she has performed cataract surgery on dogs as old as sixteen and seventeen. What matters most is the dog’s quality of life and whether restored vision would meaningfully change their daily experience.

For some dogs, cataract surgery can be life‑changing. For others — especially quiet, sedentary seniors — the risks may outweigh the benefits. It’s a very individual decision.

Blue Belle’s Experience

Veterinary ophthalmologist performing a dog eye doctor exam on Blue Belle.
Dr. Pederson examining Blue Belle’s eyes with specialized ophthalmology equipment.

After Dr. Pederson’s exam, her team walked us through the risks, benefits, and costs of cataract surgery. They were clear, patient, and honest:

  • Success rate: About 9 out of 10 dogs do well, but 10–15% may experience complications such as secondary glaucoma or retinal detachment.
  • Serious surgical complications: Things like incisions reopening, severe hemorrhage, or anesthesia‑related death are very rare — far less than 1%.
  • Cost: Pre‑surgical testing typically ranges from $1,000–$1,500. Cataract surgery for both eyes can be around $6,000.

They emphasized that they weren’t trying to talk us into surgery — only to give us options.

Because inflammation can develop inside the eye, they often prescribe anti‑inflammatory drops to prevent chronic inflammation and scar tissue, which can lead to glaucoma or other painful complications. These drops are used proactively, not just after problems appear.

Blue Belle will need daily eye drops for the rest of her life. They showed us how to give them, and she accepted them calmly. She also has some aging changes on her eyes, so she’ll be using an antibiotic ointment for 10 days.

Dr. Pederson sensed that “less is better” for Blue Belle and recommended once‑a‑day drops for now. We’ll return in six months for a recheck, and we were told to contact the clinic sooner if we notice squinting or discharge.

Encouragement for Other Dog Owners

If you’re noticing changes in your dog’s vision, trust your instincts. A veterinary ophthalmologist can help you understand what’s happening and what options exist — whether that’s surgery, medication, or simply monitoring.

Blue Belle might have qualified for cataract surgery, but we decided not to move forward with the testing or procedure. She’s comfortable and well‑supported with a plan that truly fits her life, and that’s what matters most.

Caring for a senior dog means learning to notice the small changes and meeting them with patience, curiosity, and love. Blue Belle may not see the world the way she once did, but she still greets each day with her quiet sweetness and steady trust. Visiting an eye doctor helped us understand what she needs and how to keep her comfortable, and it reminded us that supporting our dogs through aging is one of the most meaningful parts of sharing life with them. If your dog’s eyes are changing, you’re not alone — and taking that next step to learn more can make all the difference.

If your dog is losing vision, you may also find my post on Helping Blind or Vision‑impaired Dogs Thrive helpful.

Does My Dog Need to See an Eye Doctor? — Further Reading

If you’d like to learn more about canine eye health or cataracts in senior dogs, these resources offer clear, reliable information:

More Stories About Blue Belle

If you’d like to read more about Blue Belle’s journey, here are some of her other stories:

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Helping Blind or Vision‑Impaired Dogs Thrive

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how to help a blind dog — Blue Belle exploring outdoors at Redfish Lake
Blue Belle at Idaho’s Redfish Lake, before her vision changed—still curious, still confident, still herself.

Caring for a dog who is losing their vision can feel overwhelming at first, and we quickly found ourselves searching for simple, loving ways to support Blue Belle as her eyesight changed. Many dogs adapt beautifully to vision loss, as explained in this guide from the American Kennel Club. If you’ve ever wondered how to help a blind dog feel safe and confident at home, you’re not alone. Blind and vision‑impaired dogs adjust remarkably well with just a few thoughtful changes, and many of those adjustments are easier than you might expect.

As Blue Belle’s cataracts progressed, we learned how much small environmental tweaks—soft lighting, cushioned edges, predictable pathways, and gentle guidance—could transform her daily comfort. Here we’re sharing the simple, practical steps that helped Blue Belle navigate her world with confidence—tips that may help your blind or vision‑impaired dog as well.

Blue Belle has been part of our lives for more than a decade, and many of the lessons we’ve learned about caring for senior and vision‑impaired dogs come directly from her journey. If you’d like to explore more of her stories, you can read about her early adventures or how she adapted to new routines as her vision changed.

Best Night‑Light Solutions for Blind or Vision‑Impaired Dogs 🌙

One of the first challenges we noticed was nighttime navigation. Blue Belle could still find her water dish, but she sometimes hesitated or bumped into things on the way. We wanted to give her a gentle visual cue without flooding the house with bright lights. So we started with with AUVON Rechargeable Battery Night Lights—the little motion‑sensor ones. Two of them went right above her food and water dishes and they were perfect:

  • They turn on automatically when she approaches
  • They’re rechargeable
  • They give off a warm, soft glow that doesn’t startle her

We liked them so much that we added more in the bedroom where she sleeps. Then we picked up a couple of DORESshop plug‑in night lights for other areas of the house. These stay on at a low level and brighten as needed, which helps her orient herself without any sudden glare.

It’s amazing how much confidence a few thoughtfully placed lights can give a dog who can’t rely on her eyes the way she used to.

 How to Make Your Home Safe for a Blind Dog

Seeing these small changes together, one of the first areas we focused on was making our living room safer for Blue Belle.

Our wood‑stove hearth has beautiful stonework—but sharp corners. Once Blue Belle’s vision declined, we realized those edges were a real hazard. We didn’t want her to get hurt just walking through her own living room.

Our solution was wonderfully simple: slit pipe insulation. We wrapped it around the stone edges, creating a soft bumper. It blended in better than we expected, and more importantly, it worked.

The very next day, Blue Belle bumped into the hearth. Instead of a painful impact, she just bounced off the padding and kept going. We looked at each other with so much relief. That little foam bumper earned its place in the house forever.

Once we had her indoor spaces protected, our attention naturally shifted to the outdoors—another place where small changes made a big difference. We began looking at how to help a blind dog explore the outdoors with confidence.

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