Red Eye
Redness in your pet's eye can come from something minor and irritating, or from a condition that threatens vision within hours. An eye exam is the only reliable way to tell the difference.
Common causes
Poor quality or quantity of tears is frequently present in dogs with seasonal or food allergies affecting the eyes, eyelids, and skin — pets with these conditions and a “red eye” appearance should have a thorough ophthalmology evaluation.
When redness appears together with sudden vision loss, the most frequent causes are:
- Glaucoma — a sudden rise in eye pressure
- Lens luxation — the lens shifting out of its normal position
- Severe intraocular inflammation (uveitis, chorioretinitis)
- Acute trauma
- Bleeding disorders resulting in blood accumulation inside the eye
- Rapid cataract progression — most frequently seen in diabetic dogs, as a result of trauma, or in some forms of hereditary cataracts (Bichon Frise breed)
When it's an emergency
Noticed a red eye?
A prompt exam helps us tell a minor irritation from an emergency.