Cloudy Eyes (Corneal Edema) in Dogs
Key takeaways
Cloudy eyes, also referred to as corneal edema, have a hazy, filmy, blue, gray, or white discoloration over the cornea - the usually clear dome that protects the iris and pupil.
- This is the result of inflammation that leads to fluid build-up in the eye
- Corneal edema can appear over part of the cornea or all of it and it can occur in one or both eyes
- Diagnostic tools include physical exam, Schirmer tear test, fluorescein stain, and tonometry
- Common underlying causes include dry eye, defects in the eye surface, injuries, foreign bodies, eyelid and eyelash disorders, anterior uveitis, glaucoma, infectious diseases, or tumors
- Veterinary attention is required to determine a treatment plan and prevent vision loss
- Treatment plans include topical eye medications, pain relief, surgery and, in rare cases, chemotherapy or removal of the eyeball
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A closer look: Cloudy Eyes (Corneal Edema) in Dogs
Corneal edema is common in dogs. Although it is not life-threatening, veterinary attention is required to diagnose the underlying cause and treat it appropriately. Left untreated, some causes of corneal edema lead to partial or total blindness and severe pain in the eye.
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Possible causes
There are many common causes of corneal edema. The most common cause is injury or the presence of a foreign body.
In some cases, corneal edema is caused by infectious diseases such as fungal infections, canine infectious hepatitis, or other microorganisms.
In rare cases, corneal edema is caused by tumors in the eye, including cancer.
Risk factors
Severity of corneal edema varies depending on the underlying cause. Left untreated, many causes lead to partial or complete blindness.
Corneal edema does not appear immediately after an injury, and may take hours to days for cloudiness to appear. Over time, small blood vessels grow across the cornea as the tissue attempts to repair itself. Chronic cases that are left untreated for long periods are more likely to require significant intervention and have a poorer prognosis for maintaining sight in the eye.
Testing and diagnosis
Diagnostic tools used to determine the underlying cause of corneal edema include:
- Physical exam
- Schirmer tear test: A test that measures the production of tears that protect the eye from debris
- Fluorescein stain: A test that identifies any defects in the eye surface
- Tonometry: Identifies the pressure within the eye to rule out glaucoma
Depending on the diagnosis, treatment plans include:
- Lubricating eye drops
- Topical antibiotics
- Pain relief medications and anti-inflammatories
- Surgery to reshape the eyelid in the case of entropion
- Removal of eyelashes, either by plucking, cryosurgery, or electrolysis in the case of distichiasis
- Surgical removal of the eyeball or chemotherapy in the case of cancer
Similar symptoms
In some cases, corneal edema is confused with conditions that make the lens of the eye milky-white or opaque.
It is also sometimes confused with conditions that cause a buildup of pink tissue on the front of the eye. These include:
- Pannus (chronic superficial keratitis)
- Conjunctival tumors
Associated symptoms
Associated symptoms vary depending on the underlying cause.
