68 THE NEW BARKER www.TheNewBarker.com Any irritation of the eye can lead to an increase in tears as the eye’s natural response is to flush away irritants or foreign material. Epiphora (Figure 1), or excessive tearing, is very common and can be caused by a variety of underlying problems. Excessive tears drain down the pet’s face causing stains in the fur (a red brown color), odor, and at times,skin infection from the chron- ic moisture. A variety of eyelash and eyelid abnormalities can lead to excessive tearing by rubbing the cornea, causing corneal trauma. Allergy, dust, smog and infection can all cause irritation and tearing. If the eye trauma is painful, the pet often squints and paws at the eye. These are signs the ani- mal should be examined promptly. Epiphora can also appear because the tears don’t drain normally, even if the amount of tear is normal.Poor drainage can occur due to incompetent tear ducts or very shallow eye sockets that cause the tears to overflow, a condition common in Poodles and Bichon Frises (as well as the brachycephalic breeds, like Pugs).There is a simple test to determine if the ducts are not draining properly. If there is an underlying problem that can be corrected, epiphora can be prevented. If not, such as a healthy but shallow eye socket, it may call for man- agement rather than cure. There is no magic treatment, but daily cleansing of the fur with hydrogen peroxide may help bleach the fur white (avoid the eye). A product called Lid-n-Lash is reputed to help but requires daily use as does Douxo Micellar solution.These are all used to clean the stained fur, and do not go into the eye. There are several nutritional supplements that claim to help, but results seem to vary. The corneal is the clear, outermost layer and is prone to scrapes or tears. Corneal ulcers (Figure 2) or erosions are most often caused by trauma to the surface of the eye. The entire eye becomes red and painful as the conjunctiva flares up in response to the injury. Common causes for this type of irritant are rough contact with plant materials, scratch- es from other animals, chemical irritation (shampoo in the eye), foreign material in the eye (dirt, plant matter), and self-trauma from rubbing the eye.A fluorescent stain is used to outline the corneal ulcer and help determine the depth of the injury. A healthy cornea will heal in a week or less with an appropriate ophthalmic antibiotic and protection. Atropine may also be used to decrease the painful spasms that occur as the pupil constricts in response to the injury. Some ulcers will become indolent ulcers,a term that indicates delayed healing. These ulcers are more common in Poodles, Boxers and BostonTerriers and may require more aggressive therapy. A grossly infected ulcer can actually cause dissolution of the collagen in the cornea and these melting ulcers can worsen rapidly.The descemeto- cele is an unusually deep ulcer that has penetrated all but the last thin membrane. These are at a high risk for rupture,and sur- gery is usually indicated. Fortunately, most corneal ulcers and erosions heal readily, but close monitoring is essential and the pet should be rechecked if sudden worsening is noted with any eye problem. Cherry eye (Figure 3) is a common problem affecting the third eyelid or nictitans that arises from the inner corner of the eye.The gland on the inside of this membranous eyelid produces a large portion of the tears needed to keep the eyes moist. In some dogs, the gland prolapses and protrudes out from the corner of the eye, where it then swells, becomes inflamed and likely does not produce tears normally. Certain breeds are predisposed, such as Beagles, Boston terriers, Cocker Spaniels and Bulldogs, but this prolapse can occur in any breed. Since this lacrimal gland produces a large portion of the tear, it is essential to attempt to save it to avoid dry eye. Part 1 of this series, in the last issue of The New Barker, addressed eye problems most commonly seen in short-snouted (brachycephalic) breeds of dogs. Part 2 reviews some eye problems that are common in all dog breeds. Some information may overlap with Part 1, as all ocular problems affect any breed. Figure 1: Epiphora, chronic stain. Figure 2: Corneal ulcer - fluorescein stain uptake. Figure 3: Bilateral Cherry Eye. Photo courtesy of Dr. Ian P. Herring. Figure 4: Measuring intraocular pressure to check for glaucoma. Figure 5: Mature Cataract. Photo courtesy of Dr. Megan Edward. The Eyes Have It. Part 2 –by Dr. Elizabeth F . Baird