Dogs have an exceptional sense of smell, but when it comes to their eyesight, they don’t see 20/20. In fact, our canine companions operate at around 20/75 vision, and that number tends to decline with age. No matter how old your dog is, however, vision problems can come into play and affect his quality of life.
 
Dogs are adept at adjusting to changes and poor eyesight will only become apparent when your pet starts making big mistakes. Even dogs with just 20 percent of their original eyesight can continue functioning as normal, thanks to their other senses and ability to memorize the floorplan of your house. Here are a few signs your dog’s vision may be declining:
 

When you throw a treat to your pet, he does not see it.

He is reluctant to go up or down stairs, jump off the bed or go outside at night.

When you move furniture, your pet bumps into it, and he hesitates in unfamiliar places.

Your dog only registers food as edible when he’s close enough to smell it.

There is a fuzziness in or on your dog’s eyes.

  
La meilleure façon de déterminer si la vision de Fido se détériore est d'établir une ligne de base pour ce que sa vision normale est. Cela peut être difficile, car la vision canine est différente de la nôtre, mais avec quelques tests non officiels, vous pouvez déterminer ce qui est naturel afin de pouvoir suivre les changements. Une technique consiste simplement à observer votre chien quand un ami familier s'approche de lui à distance. Notez à quel point l'ami est proche quand il réagit, et c'est la distance à laquelle il peut voir. Ou, demandez à quelqu'un de tenir votre animal de compagnie pendant que vous marchez lentement vers lui avec son jouet préféré et notez à quelle distance il réagit pour le voir. Ces mesures brutes vous donneront une base pour un simple test à domicile pour vérifier si la vision de votre animal de compagnie est en déclin dans le futur.
 
If you notice that your dog’s eyes are failing, discuss treatment options with your veterinarian. Loss of eyesight can be caused by aging, infections or hereditary factors, but diabetes and other conditions can also impact vison and there may be supplements, dietary changes and medications to help your pet. You can make life easier for a dog with bad eyes by providing him with a safe home environment. Clear walkways and leave furniture in place—or, if you must rearrange a room, do so gradually to help your dog adjust. This way, even older pets or those struggling to see can enjoy a high quality of life.