
- Single or multiple spots, dots or freckles in the eye that can range from faint brown to dark black
- Spots that are circular, flat or raised above the surface of the eye
- Distorted pupil shape
- Unusually dilated pupil
- Blood pooling in eye
- Poor or excessive tear production
- Discharge from eyes
- Cloudy eyes
- Darkened, thinned or translucent iris
- Red eyes
- Chronic eye inflammation
- Abnormal blinking
- Corneal ulcers
- Head shaking
- Squinting, poor vision or closed eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Pawing or scratching at eyes
- Lethargy
- Iris atrophy – Commonly brought on by age, this degeneration of the iris can produce tiny holes in the iris that appear as black dots. When a result of aging, this condition doesn’t diminish eyesight or cause any pain, and seems to be most common in small, toy and mini breeds such as Chihuahuas and Miniature Schnauzers. Iris atrophy can also be caused by chronic inflammation, injury or glaucoma, and can itself result in glaucoma.
- Pigmentary keratitis – When chronic inflammation of the eye occurs, it can cause pigmented melanin granules to be deposited that cause brownish-black spots in the eye that may affect vision. This inflammation may be a result of conditions such as entropion, ectropion, eyelid tumors, abnormal eyelashes, or dry eye. This condition is most common in brachycephalic breeds, such as Bulldogs, Pugs and Boxers.
- Iris cysts – Cysts in the iris are black discs filled with fluid that can vary in size, but are usually just a few millimeters in diameter. They can stay fixed in one position, generally on the bottom half of the eye, or they can move around. While sometimes dogs can be born with a cyst, they can also be caused by trauma or inflammation in the eye. Though painless, they can obscure vision.
- Eye freckle – Also referred to as increased pigmentation of the iris, an eye freckle begins as a single spot or multiple spots made from melanin producing cells. If they grow larger, they can progress into a nevus, a flat or rounded spot that may be raised above the surface of the eye. Both freckles and nevi are generally harmless, but they can affect eye function if too large. They can be congenital, or develop over time, and may have an association to UV light exposure. Sometimes, nevi can continue to grow into a melanocytoma or melanoma.
- Ocular melanomas – Melanocytes, or the cells that produce melanin, can proliferate and clump together to produce masses. While a large percentage of these are benign, they can still cause pain, bleeding, inflammation, retinal detachment, cataracts, glaucoma and eye loss. Starting as round brown to black lesions on the iris, they can grow to become large, raised masses. In rare cases, they can become malignant tumors. Melanomas may be caused by genetic mutations, with some breeds predisposed to the condition, including Golden and Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds and Cocker Spaniels.
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