Glasses for Dogs With Cataracts: 3 Best Options

Glasses can’t treat cataracts or restore a dog’s vision – the only treatment that removes a cataract is surgery. What well-fitted dog goggles with UV protection can do is shield your dog’s eyes from bright sunlight, wind, dust and bumps, which can make life outdoors more comfortable and safer for a dog whose sight is fading. 

Cataracts can be a very overwhelming health issue for both dogs and pet parents, and it’s natural to look for every way to help your dog. We cover the main options in dog cataracts treatment without surgery. 

Dog goggles are one practical way to protect eyes that are already struggling. Besides this, dog goggles offer plenty of other benefits for perfectly healthy dogs.

In this article, we are going to discuss what dog goggles can and can’t do for cataracts. Let’s dig deeper!

What Are Dog Glasses? And What Do They Do?

Does your dog love adventures? Is your dog suffering from some eye-related health issue? 

If you answered yes to either of these questions – your dog is a perfect candidate for dog goggles. 

Consider dog goggles as an accessory that protects the dog’s eyes from irritants and UV light. 

Adventurous dogs are exposed to bigger environmental risks – from dust, grass seeds and pollen to strong UV light.

So, purchasing dog goggles will lower the environmental risks. Besides this, doggie goggles can make car rides more enjoyable for your pet. 

Dog goggles can also be useful for dogs with eye health issues such as cataracts or pannus, or dogs recovering from eye problems, as long as your vet agrees. 

How Do Dog Goggles Help Dogs With Cataracts?

First of all, dog goggles can protect your dog from injuries. Dogs with cataracts can become clumsy over time. During the process of developing cataracts, the lens becomes cloudy and the dog’s vision becomes compromised; dogs see an increasingly blurry, grey or dark world. Bright sunlight and glare can make it even harder for them to see. That is why many dogs become clumsy and bump into many objects in their surroundings. We explain this in more detail in what do dogs with cataracts see. 

Our tip is to purchase goggles with built-in UV protection filters, so they cut glare as well as protecting against knocks. 

Blind dogs are especially good candidates for goggles. Although blind dogs have other strong senses, at the beginning, they can act very lost in the environment. So these goggles help protect their eyes from bumps and scratches while they learn their way around.

Are Dog Goggles Scientifically Proven Effective for Cataracts?

No. There’s no scientific evidence that goggles slow or improve cataracts. UV exposure is linked to some eye conditions, though, and goggles reduce glare and protect the eye surface from injury, which is why some veterinarians suggest them for dogs with eye problems who spend a lot of time outdoors. 

Some breeds are more prone to eye-related health issues. So these dogs can benefit from wearing goggles from a very young age. 

However, you need to consult with your vet before purchasing dog goggles. In the end, remember that goggles are a comfort and protection aid, not a treatment. 

Even eye drops aren’t a solution for cataracts. The only treatment that removes a cataract is surgery, usually performed by a veterinary ophthalmologist. Your vet may still prescribe anti-inflammatory eye drops, because cataracts can cause inflammation inside the eye (uveitis) that can lead to painful glaucoma if left untreated. Call your vet promptly if your dog’s eye becomes red, cloudy-blue, painful or watery, if they squint, or if their vision drops suddenly. We look at this more closely in eye drops for dogs with cataracts. 

What Should I Look for When Buying Dog Goggles?

You should keep a few factors in mind before purchasing the first pair of goggles. 

Not all goggles do the same job. You should only look for goggles with a UV protection filter. 

Then, you should pick a suitable size for your doggo. For example, buying extra large goggles for your Chihuahua is not the best idea. Try to measure the dog’s head before buying goggles. 

Also, keep in mind the eyecup size: the goggles should sit snugly without pressing on the eyes, and your dog should be able to blink normally.

Best Dog Goggles for Dogs With Cataracts

There are plenty of dog goggles with UV protection on the market. Therefore, we have compiled a short list of the best dog goggles for dogs with cataracts.

Let’s take a look!