Age changes in the organ of vision in dogs

Summary

Ophthalmological examination was conducted in 112 dogs. The age of 73 of them ranged from 1 to 3 years, of 36 — from 4 to 6 years; 3 dogs were over 10 years of age.

In electro-ophthalmoscopy of dogs aged from 1 to 3 years, no peculiarities connected with the age were noted in the external portion of the eye, the refractive media or the optic fundus. At the same time some age peculiarities were detectable with the aid of a slit lamp. The lens of one year old dogs was light grey in color with weakly manifested division zones and a large embryonic nucleus. In two year old dogs the lens sutures were marked, but optically not dense. In three year old dogs the lens sutures already exhibited slight density.

In some dogs, aged 4 to 5 years, there were a weakly manifested senile arch along the edge of the cornea and reduction of pigment in the iris and pupil margin. In dogs aged 6 years and older, there/were a marked senile arch, the presence in the iris and pupil margin of small areas devoid of pigment, sclerosis of the lens and in some cases an incipient senile cataract. Apart from this, a yellow staining of the optic papklla, atrophic foci of the retina of yellowish-orange color with a marked luster and vascular sclerosis were noted.