Common symptoms of dog eye problems include:

• Avoiding light
• Bulging eyes
• Closed eyes
• Cloudiness
• Discharge
• Excess tearing
• Redness
• Rubbing the eye
• Rubbing the face on the ground

Proper eye care is as important for dogs and left untreated, or not treated soon enough, many eye diseases and conditions can result in reduced vision or even total loss of vision. By making sure the corners of your pet's eyes are mucus-free, you may be able to prevent infections. Bacteria often feed on mucus and can migrate into the eye. Using sterile veterinary eyewash is a convenient way to do this. Healthy canine eyes will be wide open, moist, and shining. The conjunctivas (the membranes that line the eyelids) will be a healthy pink color. The pupils will constrict when exposed to bright light and dilate in dim light. There will be no accumulation of mucous or other discharges, and no swelling in and around the eyelids. He may exhibit excessive tearing, restlessness, or whimpering. Any time you notice any changes in the appearance of your dog's eyes, discharges, redness, swelling, or cloudiness call your vet immediately.

Scratches on the cornea are common, especially in breeds with bulging eyes. Trauma from foreign objects entering the eye can result in an ulcerated cornea and keratitis, an inflammation that can lead to cloudiness of the cornea and loss of vision. If you do remove a foreign object from your dog's eye, flush the eye with water and consult a vet. A special stain can be put into the dog's eye to check for damage.

Injury

Dogs will be dogs, which sometimes includes sticking their noses in places they shouldn't. Dog eye injuries can be the consequence and come in many forms such as scratches, cuts or bruising of the eyeball. Eyes are one the most important and sensitive organs of any animal. Any injury to the eye should be taken seriously and you must immediately attend to the injury or else your dog could lose his vision.

Foreign objects in eyes like a small piece of straw, sawdust or any other object can go in the dog's eye. This can cause extreme irritation to the dog and he would shut his eyes in discomfort. Usually this situation is accompanied by a watery discharge from the eye. If the object is 'stuck' on thecornea, you should not try to remove it by putting your hand or any object near to the dogs eye.

Prolapse of a Dog's Third Eyelid

The gland of the third eyelid also produces tears for the eye to help the tear gland lubricate the cornea. If the gland becomes swollen, it will bulge up and over the top margin of the third eyelid. When exposed like this, it will become irritated and produce a thick yellow mucus. A veterinarian can check the eye to confirm whether this is the problem. Sometimes a conventional veterinarian will suggest surgery to remove this gland.

Red Eye in Dogs

Your dog's red eye may signal an eye problem requiring treatment from eye drops to emergency surgery. Red eye in dogs may signal many inflammatory conditions and infectious diseases, and veterinary advice should be sought.

Blood in the Anterior Chamber of the Eye

Bleeding in the eye generally results from trauma, inflammation, or other defects. Bleeding from trauma may need to be surgically corrected. Uveitis and tumors can bring about growth of new blood vessels, which are inherently leaky and may cause blood to accumulate. If the eye has progressed to glaucoma, removal of the eye may be necessary.

Pink Eye

Many of the symptoms found with dog pink eye can also be found when debris or foreign bodies enter the eye area.  Check the eye thoroughly, common symptoms of dog pink eye include:

• Abnormal amount of discharge coming from the dog's eye, often collecting around the eye area and limiting the dog's ability to blink or open the eye fully
• Pronounced pink color of the dog's eye area
• Severe bloodshot appearance may also be observed
• Surrounding eye tissue, including the eyelid, will be inflamed

Pink eye often causes severe itching of the entire eye area.   You may notice your dog attempting to find relief by rubbing her eye on the corner of the couch or carpet.  Dogs with pink eye also tend to use their paws to scratch the eye and to attempt to remove excess discharge, which can be very irritating for the dog.  This violent rubbing could cause serious damage to the dog's eye and should be prevented. Pink eye can have an affect on your dog's spirit and daily routine.   You may notice that your dog's new favorite spot is a dark corner of your kitchen or living room and that less time is being spent playing in the sun.  This happens because the infected eye becomes very sensitive to light. pay close attention to the amount of tears your dog's eye is producing.  While normal tear production can vary from one animal to another, you should be able to tell if your dog is producing more tears than usual.  Again, make sure a foreign object is not the cause before jumping to conclusions.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the mucous membranes of the eye is the most common eye disease of all domestic animals. Dogs with allergies are especially prone to conjunctivitis. The eye reddens because of the increased flow of blood, and you may see swelling of the mucous membranes. Viruses or bacteria may cause conjunctivitis; parasites (such as ticks) and allergies are less common causes.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma, if not treated immediately, can lead to irreversible blindness. Veterinarians may see glaucoma in 8 percent of all canine patients. Signs of glaucoma include cloudy pupils, large pupils, and redness.

Cataracts

Cataracts are white opacities in the lenses of the eyes that impair vision or cause blindness. Diabetes mellitus is a common cause of cataracts in which case they develop and progress rapidly. Cataracts may be present at birth (congenital) or develop later and are caused by infections (such as canine herpesvirus, canine parvovirus-2 and canine adenovirus-1), injuries, poor nutrition, radiation therapy or toxins. The only treatment for cataracts is surgical removal, performed if the cataracts significantly impair vision.

Watery Eyes

Entropion is a condition when the eyelashes turn inward. It is a common cause of eye watering. Clean the eyes carefully with a wet cotton pad, using separate pad for each eye and making sure any debris buildup in the corner of the eye is removed.
Make sure that the top knot is kept tidy to prevent this in such breeds as the Bearded Collie. Watery eyes, squinting and thick discharge from one or both eyes is seen in dogs affected by Trichiasis . In this condition some lashes grow inward and rub on the suraface of the eye. Districhiasis occurs when two eyelashes grow from a single follicle. The extra lash often is the one that causes irritation. Pekingese, Poodle and Bedlington Terrier, Shar Peis and St. Bernards often have this condition. These deformities can eventually cause scarring of the cornea so that it loses its normal transparency and impairs the vision. The only effective treatment of the abnormal lashes is surgical removal. In-growing eyelids are a dog eye problem that can be hereditary or the result of continuous inflammation.  With this condition, the eyelids turn in and press the eyelashes against they eye.  The rubbing can cause a large (and sometimes white) ulcer.