Eyes - redness

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Redness of the surround of the eye is called conjunctivitis. This causes pain and irritation such that your dog will blink excessively, will keep his eyes closed and avoid bright light. Usually there is also a watery or purulent discharge.  The condition may occur in one or both eyes.

The causes include infections, foreign bodies, irritants or allergies. These causes can also cause inflammation or damage to the cornea and it is essential to determine this before treatment is instituted as some drugs commonly used in the treatment of conjunctivitis may delay the healing of corneal ulcers.

There are also some anatomical problems which may lead to recurrent conjunctivitis. There may be extra eye-lashes on the inside of the lids (distichiasis) which constantly rub on the cornea and conjunctiva. The lids may also turn inward (entropion) such that the normal lashes rub against the eye. Entropion can be primary or secondary. Primary entropion is a genetic problem where the in-turning of the lids is an anatomical defect that results in the inflammatory changes of the conjunctiva and cornea. Secondary entropion occurs when inflammation of the eye causes swelling of the lids and then a subsequent in-turning of the lids.

What your veterinarian will want to know

How long has the problem been going on? Does it affect one or both eyes? Has it occurred in the past, and if so is it seasonal? Are there any signs of generalised disease such as coughing, sneezing, skin irritation, inappetance etc.
If entropion is present, he will want to determine if this is primary or secondary

What your veterinarian may do

Your veterinarian will want to determine whether the changes are restricted to the conjunctiva or whether they involve the cornea as well; if so is there corneal ulceration.

Following a full clinical examination, your veterinarian will want to make a detailed study of both eyes using special ophthalmic instruments, checking each of the separate structures in turn. He may put some local anaesthetic in the eye to check for foreign bodies under the lids. He will check the inside of the lids for extra eye lashes, as well as the anatomical position of the eyelids in relation to the cornea. In checking the cornea, he may add a dye to the eye which helps show the presence of ulceration. Special paper strips can be used to measure the tear production.