Beyond looking dashing, sunglasses protect our dogs’ eyes from diseases worsened by UV light and from potential trauma to the eye itself.
Certain breeds and age of the dogs, and the environment in which they play and work can make eye disorders much more likely. Fortunately, protective eyewear and good management can dramatically reduce these issues.
Exposure to the sun and its damaging UV light can cause disease such as pannus, cancer and general discomfort. Pannus is an immune mediated disease that creates tissue growth that can cover the surface of the eye. This tissue obstructs vision and is very uncomfortable.
German shepherds and greyhounds suffer most often from this chronic lifelong disease. Sunlight intensifies the symptoms creating severe disease. Medical treatment such as eye ointments applied several times a day can help control the symptoms, but decreasing exposure to sunlight is critical. If exposure to the sun is unavoidable then protective eye wear like goggles play a large role in managing this disease. You’ll see security dogs in airports and service dogs wearing goggles for good reason!
Unlike in people, cataracts are not caused by chronic UV light exposure in our pets. Cataracts do occur in dogs, but genetics and certain medical diseases like diabetes are responsible.
Cancers can be triggered by UV light and can affect multiple structures in the eye. The third eyelid in cats can develop hemangiomas. Fortunately, cats are smart enough to stay out of the sun as few would tolerate wearing protective eyewear. Squamous cell carcinoma more commonly occurs in dogs, along with melanomas and hemangiomas. Management often involves surgical removal of these tumors. Protective eyewear is very helpful during the postoperative healing as well as minimizing sunlight exposure.
Some breeds have very short noses and prominent eyes, such as pugs, bulldogs and shih tzus. The outer layer of the eye, or cornea, can easily be scratched when playing outside or even on furniture when inside. These injuries to the cornea are common in dogs with vision loss as well. Many of these scratches can be quite slow to heal and require multiple treatments each day. Goggles can help during healing and preventing trauma in the first place.
As our dogs age their irises atrophy. This can result in squinting as more UV light can enter the eye. Dogs’ retinas are better adapted to dawn and dusk with low levels of light. Squinting decreases the light that their reduced iris is now letting in. Goggles can help block this light so the dog is more comfortable during brighter times of day.
There are many good ways to decrease your pets’ exposure to the sun. Keeping your pet in the shade during midday is a start. For those dogs prone to eye issues, taking the time to train and properly fit your pet to appropriate eye protection is reasonable. Good eye protection can mean more fun this summer. Dogs will be just as happy when their owners reach for their fashionable goggles as when they reach for the leash.