White thing in the middle of the eye

[Onyxmozart]

I was just cleaning around his eyes yesterday, and I noticed that there's a white spot in the middle of his eyes. I'm worried about it, as I had a dog growing up that had developed cataracts.

My puppy is only 4 years old.

Any advice/suggestions anyone can give me?

[Wylie's Mom]

One thing to do is to take a flash light and shine it into the affected eye - if there is a cataract, you should be able to see it very well by shining the light at it. If there is one, make sure to check the other eye too. Also, you'd really want to see a Vet Ophthalmologist soon too, bc they can go blind if special drops aren't given to help w/ the inflammation that cataracts can cause. Many dogs can live w/ a cataract for a very long time without needing surgery...many can go without surgery entirely.

Any signs of diabetes, btw?

[Patti]

I would have the vet check it out and refer you to an eye specialist if needed. I know Nikki my 17 year old has big white spots in both eyes and one is worse looking than the other. That one has a cataract in it. Both of his eyes have a condition that older dogs get which is harmless but your baby is so young. Keep us posted.

[Onyxmozart]

I'm going to get him to the vet on Friday anyways for his annual check-up, I just hope this is nothing serious.

[YorkieRose]

A white spot can be a scar from a corneal scratch...cateracts tend to look like a hazeover the entire iris...but a vet check is in order....

[Patti]

Originally Posted by YorkieRose

A white spot can be a scar from a corneal scratch...cateracts tend to look like a hazeover the entire iris...but a vet check is in order....

Yes that's what Nikki's eyes look like, a haze over his entire eye.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by YorkieRose

A white spot can be a scar from a corneal scratch...cateracts tend to look like a hazeover the entire iris...but a vet check is in order....

I learned this recently from our vet when Max had a corneal ulcer. Definitely something to check out with the vet.

[kalina82]

Does the white spot look like its "on" the eye or "in" the eye? Can you take a picture for us?

[Onyxmozart]

After multiple attempts... I finally got some pics...

How bad is it if it's a corneal scratch/ulcer?

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Onyxmozart

After multiple attempts... I finally got some pics...

How bad is it if it's a corneal scratch/ulcer?

I'm not quite sure w/ the pics. So, is this white part visible, at any time then? Meaning, you don't have to shine a light at it? Unless cataracts have progressed and covered the whole lens, they usually can't be seen without a little effort.

For example, Wylie has a cataract in his R eye - it covers only about 1/4th the lens, has an irregular shape, and can only really be seen if a flashlight is aimed at his eye.

If it is a corneal scratch (currently), he'd have a tough time holding that eye open bc those are very painful.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by Onyxmozart

After multiple attempts... I finally got some pics...

How bad is it if it's a corneal scratch/ulcer?

I didn't discuss scarring in depth with my vet because Max's eye ulcer healed correctly. Sources I have read online say scarring is permanent and may impair vision. Sometimes the scar has a lip or ridge in it that needs to corrected surgically. Eye surgery sounds scary, but it is actually a simple procedure sort of like lasik eye procedures done on humans to improve vision.

I would take your puppy to a canine opthamologist to have the spot properly diagnosed and to determine the best course of treatment.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

If it is a corneal scratch (currently), he'd have a tough time holding that eye open bc those are very painful.

If the white spot is the result of a corneal scratch or ulcer, it would have had to have been a severe one, and you would have noticed your pup holding his eye closed for a period of time and pawing at it.

[Onyxmozart]

No light is needed to see the white spot on his left eye. It's just there. As for pawing, he usually play paws at his face while wriggling on his back, but he doesn't seem to have any issues keeping them open.

[Ladymom]

Lady had a white spot exactly like that on her eye a few years ago and it turned out to be a pocket of infection. My vet sent me to an ophthalmologist. They did eye scrapings and lab work to diagnose it.

Since our general practice vets don't have the training or specialized equipment to deal with anything more than routine eye problems, I always think a visit with an ophthalmologist is important.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by Onyxmozart

No light is needed to see the white spot on his left eye. It's just there. As for pawing, he usually play paws at his face while wriggling on his back, but he doesn't seem to have any issues keeping them open.

My boy does the same, rolls on his back and play paws at his face, baring his teeth. What are they thinking about I wonder?

If the white spot is related to a scratch or ulcer, it would be a scar from improper healing of the scratch or ulcer. So any symptoms like holding the eye shut would have been in the past.

Originally Posted by Ladymom

Lady had a white spot exactly like that on her eye a few years ago and it turned out to be a pocket of infection. My vet sent me to an ophthalmologist. They did eye scrapings and lab work to diagnose it.

Since our general practice vets don't have the training or specialized equipment to deal with anything more than routine eye problems, I always think a visit with an ophthalmologist is important.

Was the infection resolved with medication or was a procedure required?