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 mejor manera de determinar si la visión de Fido se está deteriorando es establecer una línea de base para lo que es su vista normal. Esto puede ser difícil, ya que la visión canina es diferente a la nuestra, pero con algunas pruebas no oficiales, puede determinar qué es lo natural para poder seguir cualquier cambio. Una técnica es simplemente observar a su perro cuando un amigo familiar se le acerca desde la distancia. Tenga en cuenta lo cerca que está el amigo cuando reacciona, y esta es la distancia a la que puede ver. O bien, haga que alguien sostenga a su mascota mientras camina lentamente hacia él con su juguete favorito y observe a qué distancia reacciona para verla. Estas medidas aproximadas le darán una referencia para una prueba simple en el hogar para verificar si la visión de su mascota está disminuyendo en el futuro.
 
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.