All About Eyes

Over on the Dogs-N-More blog Chan and I have declared this Canine Eye Info Month. We and others are posting about eye care in general and specific problems that can affect our canine buddies. Chan currently has a post about glaucoma. Her Sissy is battling the disease and Chan shares important info for all of us.

I'll be posting soon about PRA and Dr Nicki is doing a post on general eye care. Be sure to check us out and maybe pick up some info that could save your pet's vision.

Eyes are an important subject and I've been dealing with my own vision problems lately. As many of you know, I had cataract surgery last summer. The surgery was successful and I had an easy recovery. On Friday evening as I was taking the dogs outside for their last call, I noticed what appeared to be flashing lights just above my head. As I tilted my head back to see where they were coming from, I realized that the flashing lights were inside my left eye. That was frightening.

Saturday the lights continues to flash. Imagine Christmas tree lights flashing inside your eye and no way to pull the plug. Saturday evening as I was knitting, I felt like a lock of hair was in my eye. I kept brushing my hair back until I realized it also was inside my eye. It was like a good sized piece of dark lace floating back and forth across my field of vision. It was annoying enough to make me put away my knitting and go to bed.

On Sunday the lights weren't flashing as often, but the lacy floater was still there. First thing Monday morning I was on the phone to my eye doctor and he said to come in immediately. After an extensive examination, there was good news and bad news.

The good news, there is no hole or tear to the retina. The bad news I have a vitreous detachment. It's not dangerous, just very annoying. He gave me a time frame for the flashes to stop and so far today there have been none. This is good. The very large floater I'll have to learn to live with. It may or may not decrease in size and it may or may not drop lower in the eye, getting it out of the main field of vision.

At least I can recognize  a vision problem and make a call to the doctor. Our canine and feline companions depend on us to recognize when they have a problem and make the call for them.

We need to educate ourselves on what to watch for and what to do if we spot a problem. Join us for eye health month and if you have experience with vision problems in your pets, we want to share your knowledge. Check out the posts at Dogs-N-More.