How might systemic diseases affect a dog's eyes?

Systemic diseases can significantly affect a dog's eyes by causing various ocular conditions, with cataracts and glaucoma being two notable examples. Conditions such as diabetes mellitus can lead to the development of cataracts because high blood sugar can result in changes to the lens of the eye, leading to opacification. Similarly, systemic diseases that elevate blood pressure or affect fluid dynamics in the body can increase intraocular pressure, causing glaucoma, which is characterized by damage to the optic nerve and can lead to blindness if untreated.

Understanding the connection between systemic health and ocular conditions highlights the importance of monitoring overall health to maintain eye health in dogs.