Determining the quality of vision in dogs, cats and other animals
An ophthalmologist uses various tests to determine the quality of a pet’s vision. These tests are especially important in monitoring certain diseases that can cause blindness, as well as in monitoring the response of a patient with varying degrees of visual impairment to therapy or a surgical procedure.
Vision loss can be temporary or permanent. It can occur only in low light conditions or refer only to objects that are in the immediate vicinity of the muzzle. You may notice that your pet has lost its sense of the depth and height of the object, so insecurity in movement is only noticed when it walks upstairs or jumps over obstacles. These are all signs that indicate certain eye diseases and/or systemic diseases and it is very important to make an early diagnosis. Visual impairment, and especially sudden loss of vision, is an emergency ophthalmic condition. For that reason, a precise examination of the quality of vision is necessary.
Since pets are not able to complain of impaired vision, and they use other senses in movement, owners find it difficult to notice the vision problem. Very often, especially cat owners, only when they change the arrangement of furniture in the house notice that their pet hits objects while moving, and they think that the animal has suddenly lost its sight, even though the problem has existed for a long time. In order to react in time, the ophthalmologist conducts a maze test and a test with a cotton ball, which helps assess the quality of vision.