Corneal Dystrophy in Dogs
Causes, Signs, and Treatment
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Reviewed by Monica TarantinoFact checked by Jillian Dara
Corneal dystrophy in dogs is an eye disease that causes cloudiness of the cornea. The condition usually doesn't cause pain or affect vision and may not require treatment. However, you'll need to see a veterinarian or a veterinary ophthalmologist to diagnose corneal dystrophy and rule out more serious eye conditions. Here's what pet parents need to know about corneal dystrophy in dogs.
What Is Corneal Dystrophy?
Corneal dystrophy in dogs is a disease that affects the cornea, the eye's frontmost transparent layer, causing a cloudy appearance. This cloudiness occurs due to a buildup of material in the cornea, which may consist of fat, cholesterol, or calcium. Most types of corneal dystrophy do not typically affect a dog's vision.
Some may confuse corneal dystrophy with cataracts or lenticular sclerosis, but these diseases affect the eye's lens, while corneal dystrophy affects the cornea.
Corneal Degeneration
Corneal degeneration differs from corneal dystrophy and is more serious. The corneal deposits may penetrate the corneal surface and protrude from the eye, leading to irritation and possible ulceration. Symptoms include redness, squinting, and eye discharge. The veterinarian will note that blood vessels appear in the cornea, which does not occur with corneal degeneration.
What to Do If Your Dog Has Eye Problems
Types of Corneal Dystrophy
There are three different types of corneal dystrophy, each classified by which of the five corneal layers the disease affects. These are epithelial corneal dystrophy, stromal corneal dystrophy, and endothelial corneal dystrophy.
Epithelial Corneal Dystrophy
Epithelial corneal dystrophy affects the outermost layer of the cornea and usually doesn't cause symptoms.
Stromal Corneal Dystrophy
Stromal corneal dystrophy affects the cornea's middle layer. This type of dystrophy can be caused by the accumulation of fat droplets in the cornea, and dogs are most likely to be diagnosed when young. Stromal cornea dystrophy usually doesn't cause pain or symptoms.
Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy
Endothelial corneal dystrophy affects the cornea's innermost layer and tends to occur in middle-aged dogs. Although there are usually no symptoms at the onset, in advanced cases, fluid can accumulate on the edge of the cornea and spread over time, leading to ulcers and vision loss.
Symptoms of Corneal Dystrophy in Dogs
The primary sign of corneal dystrophy is cloudiness of the eyes. Most dogs with corneal dystrophy don't show signs of pain or vision loss. However, symptoms and severity vary with the type of dystrophy and the stage of the disease.
Clouding can sometimes be accompanied by vision loss and light sensitivity. In advanced cases, especially with endothelial corneal dystrophy, dogs may experience painful fluid buildup and corneal ulcers. These dogs may paw at or rub their faces due to discomfort. Contact your veterinarian if you notice any abnormalities in your dog's eyes.
What Causes Corneal Dystrophy in Dogs?
Corneal dystrophy is typically an inherited disease. Many breeds are predisposed to corneal dystrophies, including but not limited to Boston terriers, Chihuahuas, dachshunds, German shorthaired pointers, and German wirehaired pointers. Older dogs and female dogs are thought to be more likely than others to develop corneal dystrophy, but dogs of any age or sex can develop the disease.
Veterinarians have noted that high cholesterol, triglycerides, and calcium in the body may contribute to or exacerbate corneal dystrophy. Some systemic conditions, such as hyperthyroidism and Cushing's disease, may affect calcium, fat, or cholesterol levels in the blood and lead to corneal degeneration.
How Vets Diagnose Corneal Dystrophy in Dogs
After your veterinarian performs a preliminary eye examination on your dog, they may refer you to a veterinary ophthalmologist for more comprehensive diagnostics. The ophthalmologist will examine your dog's eye with a microscope and bright light that will allow them to see the abnormal buildup in the cornea. Your vet may perform eye pressure and tear production tests and check for corneal ulcers. These tests are often accompanied by blood analysis to rule out other ocular diseases.
How to Treat Corneal Dystrophy in Dogs
Corneal dystrophy progresses slowly and doesn't always necessitate treatment. Cases of endothelial corneal dystrophy more often require treatment, and the veterinarian may prescribe eye drops. In severe cases, surgery may be recommended.
The secondary eye issues that the disease may cause are often more harmful than the dystrophy itself. If your vet identifies an underlying issue, the treatment will be specific to that condition.
Prognosis for Dogs With Corneal Dystrophy
Typically, the prognosis for dogs with corneal dystrophy is good but depends on the severity of the disease. Most dogs with corneal dystrophy never experience vision loss and lead normal, healthy lives.
How to Prevent Corneal Dystrophy in Dogs
Because it is an inherited disease, you can't prevent corneal dystrophy. Regular monitoring of cholesterol and calcium blood levels and general protection from viruses and bacteria may help keep the disease from worsening. Dogs with a history of corneal dystrophy should not be bred.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will corneal dystrophy make my dog blind?
Most cases of corneal dystrophy will not lead to blindness. Still, if you notice clouding in your dog's eye, visit your vet for a definitive diagnosis and discuss possible treatment.
What's the difference between corneal dystrophy and cataracts?
Although both conditions cause clouding in the eye, cataracts affect the eye's lens and corneal dystrophy affects the cornea.
Is my dog's breed predisposed to corneal dystrophy?
There are dozens of breeds predisposed to corneal dystrophy. Talk to your vet to find out if your dog is at a heightened risk.
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Read the original article on The Spruce Pets.
