Photophobia or Sensitivity to Light in Dogs

Photophobia is the term for hypersensitivity to light, which can be a sign of a possible disease in dogs. The disease can be accompanied by a number of other symptoms, all of which must be considered in combination when making the diagnosis. Photophobia can cause pain and discomfort to the affected dog, and over the long term, hypersensitivity to light can even cause permanent damage to the eyes. Because the condition is not all that common and is rarely discussed online, many dog owners are unaware that photophobia can occur in dogs, making it even more difficult to diagnose.

All dog owners should develop a basic understanding of the disease and its symptoms in order to learn how to recognize it. In this article, we will take a closer look at photophobia in dogs. Read on to find out more.

What Causes Photophobia in Dogs?

There are a number of different medical conditions that can lead to photophobia, and not all of them are directly related to the eyes themselves. The main causes of photophobia in dogs include:

• Corneal damage affecting the outer membrane of the eye.
• Damage to the retina of the eye itself.
• Cataracts.
• Ulcers on the eye.
• Problems or damage to the eye nerve that prevent the eye’s pupils from constricting normally in bright light.
• Congenital or inherited defects in the eyes themselves, which may be breed related.
• Conjunctivitis in one or both eyes.
• Uveitis, or inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye.
• Abscesses, tumors, or other growths affect the nerves of the eyes.
• Disc dilation, which can occur spontaneously or be caused by irritants.
  canine distemper.
• Toxicity of certain forms of poisoning.
• Meningitis.
• Respiratory tract infections.
• Shock or trauma to the eyes themselves.
• Neurological diseases.
• Rabies in countries where it occurs or in dogs that have visited such countries.
• Various types of medications, including benzodiazepines, and even chemotherapy for cancer can also cause photosensitivity.

Symptoms of photophobia in dogs

Because there are often no physical changes to the eyes with photophobia, the symptoms of the condition in dogs tend to be subtle and difficult to spot. Photophobia means that light, especially very bright light, is uncomfortable and painful for your dog, so he avoids bright rooms and direct sunlight. If your dog has turned into something of a vampire when it comes to going out in the sun but is very comfortable in dim lights and in the evening, photophobia may be the culprit.

In some cases, in bright light, your dog will blink or appear to wink to minimize the brightness.

You can assess your dog’s sensitivity to light by taking him outside on a bright day and observing how he reacts after a few minutes as his eyes adjust to the light.

Diagnosis of photophobia in dogs

If you suspect your dog may be suffering from photophobia, you should take them to the vet for a thorough evaluation and definitive diagnosis. Your vet will examine the eyes using various instruments such as an ophthalmoscope and possibly a slit lamp, looking closely at the entire eye, including the eyelids, iris, conjunctiva, sclera, and cornea.

What your vet does next will depend on what conditions they have narrowed down the possible cause of photophobia, which may include some of the following:

• A pendant lamp test to detect pupillary abnormalities and possible damage to the optic nerve.
• This test should also provide information about the presence or absence of neurological problems.
• A test of intraocular pressure to detect problems that directly affect the eye itself, such as glaucoma.
• If poisoning is suspected, your vet may need to do a blood test to check your dog for toxins.
• If your dog has discharge from his eyes, your vet will likely examine that as well to diagnose problems like conjunctivitis.
• If your dog isn’t vaccinated, the vet may need to run a test for canine distemper.

What’s next?

Dogs diagnosed with photophobia must be housed in low light and not exposed to bright light or full sunlight until the condition resolves. Identifying and treating the underlying cause of the sensitivity is key to solving the problem and preserving the dog’s vision and eliminating their discomfort and pain.

Some of the causes of photophobia, such as progressive disease and infection, can lead to irreversible blindness if left untreated. Therefore, it is extremely important to take your dog to the vet for a diagnosis as soon as you identify a problem.

Sensitivity to Light in Dogs – FAQs

Why is my dog squinting?

In the course of conjunctivitis in dogs, watery eyes can often be observed in dogs. The eye discharge can be purulent, mucous, watery or even bloody. Affected animals also blink frequently and keep squinting their eyes.

Are dogs sensitive to light?

The dog’s eye consists largely of rods, which are the light-sensitive cells of the retina. With this, the dog can also recognize weak light and thus recognize and see the dogs in the dark better than we humans.

What can you do if your dog has an eye infection?

The veterinarian must always decide which medications are used for conjunctivitis in your dog. It is often recommended to use eyebright drops (Euphrasia) or a wound and healing ointment suitable for the eye area at the first sign.

Which ointment for dog eye inflammation?

Bepanthen eye ointment is a classic for your dog pharmacy and also helps with conjunctivitis. Traumeel has a calming and strengthening effect and can also be used for conjunctivitis either in ointment or tablet form.

Which tea for dog eye inflammation?

Many veterinarians also recommend washing the animals’ eyes with chamomile tea. This is especially true if your dog suffers from conjunctivitis. However, it is important to only use high-quality chamomile tea. Before wetting the cloth with chamomile tea, it is important to filter the tea.

Which tea soothes the eyes?

It is best to leave them there for 10 minutes. The tannins in the tea refresh the eyes, and it also has a decongestant effect.