WILD- Topic 30: Eye Injuries

• Noticeable wound
• Blood
• Squinting, twitching, or eyelid spasms
• Pawing at the eye area
• Rapid blinking
• Excessive tearing
• Inability to open eye
• Bloodshot eyes
• Yellow or green discharge
• Cloudiness of the eye
• Pupil dilation
• Light sensitivity

Even if you do not see an obvious wound or foreign object in the animal’s eye, signs of a problem may be as subtle as squinting, twitching, or spasms of the eyelid. The pet may scrape its paw over the injured eye, blink rapidly, or experience excessive tearing. Some injuries may affect the pet’s ability to open its eye entirely. If you see redness in the white of the eye this could indicate trauma or irritation. One sign of an infection in the eye is a yellow or greenish discharge.  Other types of eye problems can cause redness of the mucosal membrane surrounding the eye, cloudiness in the eyes, prolonged pupil dilation, an asymmetrical appearance of the eyes, and light sensitivity. Signs may be present in one or both eyes, which can sometimes confirm the presence of an injury versus a different issue.

Eye Exam

Normal eyes have equally sized responsive pupils that are centrally positioned in the skull. Normal pupils should be midrange, of equal size, and constrict when exposed to light.

View the video below to see a basic eye exam on a dog

First Aid for Injured Eye

If the eye is out of its socket, it should be treated as an emergency. Every minute is valuable if the pet’s sight is to be saved, so act quickly:

• Do not attempt to put the eye back in its socket.
• Cover the eye with a damp, clean cloth and bandage it loosely to the head.
• If you can do it quickly, soak the cloth in warm, salty water or a supersaturated sugar solution to help preserve the eye.
• Get immediate veterinary attention, keeping the pet as quiet and calm as possible. Ideally, you should go straight to a veterinary ophthalmologist — most of them keep emergency hours for this type of situation.

If the pet is blinking or squinting excessively and avoiding bright lights, there is likely something in his eye:

• Use a thumb to lift the upper eyelid and check for debris underneath.
• Do the same with the lower lid, using the other hand.
• If you can see something that needs removing, but which is not penetrating the eye, flush it out with tepid water or use a damp cotton swab to ease it out.
• If you can’t remove the object, bandage the eye and bring the pet to the veterinarian. Do not delay.
• If the object has penetrated the eye, bandage it immediately or fit the dog with an Elizabethan collar and take him to the veterinarian immediately. Again, most of them keep emergency hours for this type of situation.

If the pet is squinting and tearing up excessively or has red eyes, it is usually indicative of a scratched eye. Check for foreign objects in the eye area. If nothing is found, follow these guidelines:

• If you can see a scratch on the eye, cover it with a clean, damp cloth.
• Bandage the cloth to the head, or use an Elizabethan collar
• Take them to the vet

4. If the pet’s eyelids are bruised or torn (usually from a fight or other trauma):

• Place a cold compress on the affected eye, to help reduce swelling.
• Keep the compress in place for 10 minutes.
• Take them to the vet

5. If the pet’s eye(s) has been exposed to chemicals, there may be burn damage:

• Flush the eye with fresh water for at least 10 minutes.
• Refer to the chemical’s packaging to see what further treatment is suggested.
• Bandage the eye to prevent further damage and bring the pet to the vet immediately.
• Remember to bring the chemical’s container or packaging with you. On the way to the vet, call poison control so they are notified and treatment can be initiated promptly.

6. If you see a watery discharge coming from the pet’s eye:

• Check for objects trapped in the eye.
• Flush the eye using tepid water, diluted cold tea, or a pet-specific eyewash.
• If there is no indication of a foreign object, seek veterinary advice. The pet may have an allergy, abnormal eyelash growth, eyelid defects, or blocked tear ducts — all of which cause chronic tear production.

7. If you see green or yellow eye charge:

• Flush the eye using tepid water, diluted cold tea, or a pet-specific eyewash.
• Contact a vet within 24 hours, as it generally indicates an infection.
• Watch for other signs of illness to help diagnosis.