The Eyes Of The Boston Terrier



Posted: Wednesday, June 24, 2009

by John Jackson
GreatDogSite.com

Boston Terriers are a part of a group of dogs called Brachycephalic breeds. Brachycephalic breeds have shorter noses and bulging eyes that are not set back into the face like in many non-Brachycephalic breeds. Because of the structure of their eyes, Boston Terriers are prone to many eye problems, such as infection, ulcers, and cataracts, among others.

As far as organs go, the eye is very complicated. In order to create accurate sight, its components must work together flawlessly. Vision is all based on light reception. The eye's lens focuses light signals and transmits them to the retina, which in turn interprets that lights and sends the information the the brain to create a visual image. The eye's lens is perfectly clear when it is healthy and must be so to function properly. When an eye develops a cataract, part of the lens will turn cloudy and will stop some or all of the light signals from coming through, depending on the severity of the cataract. Cataracts occur in the lens when the amounts of protein and water become unbalanced.

Cataracts are as unpleasant to look at as they are to have. You have probably seen a dog or a person with a cataract. Usually, the pupil will look cloudy. Cataracts vary in degree of severity. Some smaller cataracts do not necessarily interfere with sight, but can develop and disrupt or ruin the eye's ability to see at all. Cataracts can only be treated by surgical means, which can be extremely expensive. The cataract is removed with an emulsification process, and typically there will be an artificial lens put in place in lieu of the original, which is also taken out. This surgery is difficult to perform and while its effects are quite good, it may be something that you and your pet cannot afford. This is an important thing to take into consideration when choosing an at-risk breed for a new pet.

Corneal ulcers are another issue that Boston Terriers and other Brachycephalic dogs are prone to. Corneal ulcers affect only the outer layers, and the cornea often becomes inflamed. Corneal ulcers can be painful as well as destructive. The actual ulcer is created when there is a buildup of fluid on the cornea. This fluid will make it impossible to see through the cornea, and the outermost layer will eventually come off. The less severe ulcers can be treated with nothing more than pain management and antibiotics. The more severe cases, like in cataracts, will end in expensive and invasive surgery. Catching a corneal ulcer early is the only way to avoid these pricey and depressing scenarios.

Many breeds are prone to inheriting Corneal Dystrophy, the disorder that causes corneal ulcers. Brachycephalic dogs are more prone to this than others, however. Corneal Dystrophy can expedite the development of eye problems like ulcers and cataracts, which will eventually cause blindness. While early and quick treatment is the best weapon against eye problems, Corneal Dystrophy is incurable, and ulcers can grow back even after surgery.

This article was written by John Jackson and has been contributed by http://www.greatdogsite.com. For more information on the Boston Terrier, please visit our page http://www.greatdogsite.com/breeds/details/Boston_Terrier/.
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