Are Dogs Really Near-Sighted? Exploring Canine Vision!
Many of us have noticed that dogs can detect their owners from a distance and rush towards them, and guide dogs can easily help the visually impaired navigate through many road hazards. This leads us to believe that dogs have much better vision than humans. But is this really the case?
Contrary to popular belief, a dog's vision is only about 1/5 or 1/3 of a human's, primarily because the lens in a dog's eye is twice as thick as in ours.
Dogs are nearsighted!
Daytime Vision
When stationary, dogs can only see objects within 50 meters. Even when something is right in front of them, they approach it by sniffing and investigating. Their ability to adjust their eyes is only 1/5 that of humans. However, when it comes to moving targets, a dog's eyes can see up to 1,000 meters away. While their distance vision is far superior to ours, dogs have a wide field of vision, reaching 200°250°, compared to our 180°. Isn't that amazing?
Nighttime Vision
In the dark, a dog's vision is significantly better than during the day.
Dogs have a high concentration of rod cells in their retina, which are essential for night vision and detecting moving objects. The retina also contains cone cells, which are responsible for distinguishing colors and fine details. Dogs have an additional layer of choroid called the tapetum lucidum, which has a strong reflective property and enhances their night vision. This layer also causes the eerie yellow, green, or red glow in a dog's eyes when exposed to bright light.
Because light can pass through the photoreceptors in the retina without being absorbed, the tapetum lucidum reflects the light back, creating a secondary vision. This is why dogs have such exceptional night vision, even though it's often misunderstood.
The World in Black and White
Dogs have poor color perception and can only differentiate between shades of light and dark. They can distinguish different shades of gray and certain colors, such as blue and purple.
Not only are dogs nearsighted, but they are also colorblind. They cannot distinguish between red and green, so to them, red is a dark color, and green grass appears as a vast expanse of white. This is why you might see your dog running across a green field, thinking it's a vast white plain.
Now that we know how poor a dog's vision is, it's crucial for pet owners to take good care of their dogs' eyes. After all, their eyes are delicate and easily damaged.
1. Choose a dog shampoo that is gentle on the eyes. If the shampoo gets into your dog's eyes, rinse them immediately with warm water. You can use a cotton swab to wipe away any foreign objects or discharge. If your dog's eyes are red, prevent them from scratching by using medical eye drops. If the condition worsens, seek veterinary care promptly.
2. Avoid exposing your dog's eyes to bright light, as it can damage the retina and lead to eye diseases like glaucoma. Make sure to provide your dog with a balanced diet to support their eye health.
3. During exercise, ensure your dog has breaks and avoid situations where they might come into contact with sharp objects that could injure their eyes.
The world to a dog is monochrome, filled with shades of black, white, and gray. The only splash of color in their lives is you. Cherish and love your dog, as they have only one person in their lives: you!
