As your pet ages, so also do their eyes, and these windows to an old soul can experience several changes. Some are normal for older pets, while others are the result of systemic conditions. When gazing into your beloved senior pet’s eyes, keep an “eye” out for any abnormalities that may require veterinary treatment. 

Why are senior pets vulnerable to eye problems?

While any pet can suffer from eye issues, senior pets are especially at risk for a multitude of reasons. Common factors that predispose senior pets to eye problems include:

* Routine aging changes — A lifetime of wear and tear can cause significant changes in your senior pet’s eyes. For example, cataracts and retinal degeneration are often age-related conditions.

* Increased injury experiences — Older pets have had more opportunities to sustain eye injuries over the years, which can lead to long-term complications, such as glaucoma.

* Systemic condition complications — Some eye changes are the result of systemic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer, all of which are more common in senior pets. 

Senior pets also often have slower reflexes, which can leave their eyes vulnerable to injury.

What are common eye changes in senior pets?

Senior pets can experience several common eye changes that are easily noticed by pet owners. They include nuclear sclerosis, iris atrophy, retinal degeneration, abnormal eye movements, dilated pupils, retinal detachment, and blindness. 

Nuclear sclerosis in senior pets

Nuclear sclerosis is a normal aging change that affects the lens within the eye. The lens is made up of cell layers that are arranged similarly to onion layers. As pets get older, the cells become packed together more tightly because new layers are added. The increased lens density causes it to look cloudy in older pets, and the lens will continue to become cloudier over time. Nuclear sclerosis is often confused with cataracts, which is another condition that causes the lens to become cloudy. While a cataract is an abnormality, nuclear sclerosis is normal for an older pet, and the condition has a minimal effect on vision. Like middle-aged people who need reading glasses, pets with nuclear sclerosis will not be able to see well up close. Traversing stairs and catching a small treat may become difficult. 

Retinal degeneration in senior pets

Another normal aging change occurs in the retina where the cell layers responsible for night vision progressively become thinner. You may notice that your senior dog hesitates when going outside at night. That is because they cannot see as well as when they were younger, and they may struggle to navigate stairs in the dark. Turn on more lights outdoors, and line your hallways and rooms with nightlights to help your senior pet find their way through your home at night.  

Iris atrophy in senior pets

Some older pets will develop weakness in the muscle within the iris that constricts the pupil. These pets may become light-sensitive since their pupils will remain dilated when exposed to bright light. If the lens is also cloudy, such as with nuclear sclerosis, this may be more noticeable through the large pupil, which increases the cloudy appearance of the eye.

High blood pressure in senior pets

Senior cats are especially prone to developing chronic renal failure as they age, which can lead to high blood pressure. Hyperthyroidism, another relatively common disease that affects senior cats, also can cause high blood pressure. Hypertension associated with these diseases causes retinal damage, and can even lead to retinal detachment. Eye damage signs associated with hypertension include:

* Acute onset of blindness

* Ocular hemorrhage

* Dilated pupils

* Retinal detachment

* Abnormal eye movements

Monitoring your senior pet’s blood pressure during their wellness visits is recommended to help ward off retinal damage by catching disease signs early.

How can I keep my senior pet’s eyes healthy?

Any eye problem can worsen extremely rapidly in pets, so if you notice a change in your pet’s eyes or vision, contact your veterinarian immediately. 

Signs of ocular issues include:

* Increasing cloudiness

* Squinting

* Discharge

* Bulging or sinking of the eye 

* Vision problems

* Abnormal eye movements

* Pawing at the eye or rubbing the face

Keeping your senior pet’s eyes clean and free of discharge will help prevent problems, as well as trimming long hair around their eyes. Some age-related conditions can result from oxidative stress, but antioxidant supplementation can help prevent the damage caused by sunlight, UV exposure, and time. Feed your pet a well-balanced diet specially formulated for senior pets, and speak to your veterinarian about additional options for keeping your pet’s eyes healthy. 

If your senior pet is suffering from a systemic condition that affects their eyes, ensure you monitor their ocular health with regular visits to your family veterinarian. However, if their health declines, Lap of Love’s telehospice service can help you assess their quality of life, and determine whether veterinary hospice care can help.