Save yourself from getting into rush hours and buy your contacts online.
If you’re lucky enough to be a dog parent, you know that dogs are man’s best friend for a reason. Dogs are always happy to see you when you come home, don’t care whether or not you’re a good cook, and don’t judge your outfits. To celebrate Walk Your Dog Month, we’re taking a look — no pun intended — at doggy vision correction.
Can Dogs Wear Contact Lenses?
When we think about a dog’s eyes, we don’t typically think about dog contact lenses or glasses for corrective vision. However, you may be surprised to hear that not only do dog contact lenses exist, but they can also do more than improve your pet’s vision. The most common use for contact lenses on pets is as a bandage.
When a dog’s cornea is scratched or damaged, vets may place a soft contact lens on their eye to help protect it while it heals. This procedure helps protect the eye from further damage and irritation and promote healing to avoid expensive surgeries.
Though you shouldn’t expect to see your neighbor’s beagle walking down the street in Ray-Bans any time soon, there are some pretty cool examples of dogs wearing glasses and contacts.
Most famously, a doctor prescribed a senior pit bull named Gremlin a pair of contact lenses to correct her vision after complications from cataracts.
Dog Eye Problems
If you notice your pet is bumping into things, it may be due to cataracts. Cataracts cause a white cloud to appear in your pet’s eye, severely impacting their vision. If your dog has a healthy retina, a certified veterinary ophthalmologist may remove the cataract and implant an artificial dog contact lens. Although still reasonably uncommon, this procedure can restore up to 90% of your dog’s vision.
Entropion is another condition that your dog may experience that can result in damage to the eyes. In dogs with entropion, one eyelid, typically the lower eyelid, is folded inward, causing the eyelashes and skin to contact the eyeball. Although entropion typically requires surgical correction, your veterinarian may suggest using dog contact lenses to reduce irritation if the case is mild.
Does My Dog Need Glasses?
Like humans, dogs can benefit from wearing protective eyeglasses during everyday activities such as car rides, hiking, and swimming. However, teaching your dog to wear a pair of sunglasses or a scuba mask may be challenging. Thankfully, there’s a better solution.
Aptly named Doggles, these specially made goggles help protect your pet’s vision in sunny weather. Doggles are also a great choice if your pet likes to stick its head out the window of your car. Objects such as dirt, rocks, and pieces of leaves can come into contact with your pet’s eyes, causing severe damage. These special glasses are also available with corrective lenses to help improve your pet’s vision. A veterinarian or vet ophthalmologist can use an autorefractor to determine your dog’s prescription. Teaching your dog to wear Doggles can be a quick and easy way to keep your furry best friend safe while allowing them to enjoy the activities they love.
