Pomeranian Eye Problems: What to Watch For

If your Pomeranian is squinting, pawing at their face, or has eyes that look cloudy or red, something is likely going on that needs attention. Eye problems are more common in Pomeranians than many new owners realise, and catching them early makes a real difference to your dog’s comfort and long-term vision. Here’s what to watch for, what it might mean, and when to call your vet.

Why Pomeranians Are More Vulnerable to Eye Problems

Pomeranians have large, round, forward-facing eyes set in a relatively flat face. That eye shape and position looks adorable — Sash has eyes like two shiny buttons — but it does make them more exposed to irritants, injury, and certain inherited conditions. The American Kennel Club notes that brachycephalic and semi-brachycephalic breeds, which includes Pomeranians, face a higher risk of eye-related issues simply due to their facial structure.

Their eyes protrude slightly more than those of longer-snouted breeds, which means less natural protection from the brow and muzzle. Dust, wind, hair, and debris can reach the eye surface more easily. Add a thick double coat that grows around the face, and you’ve got a recipe for irritation if you’re not staying on top of grooming and monitoring.

For a fuller picture of breed-specific vulnerabilities, the Pomeranian health overview on this site is a solid starting point.

Common Eye Problems in Pomeranians

Epiphora (Excessive Tearing and Tear Staining)

This is probably the most frequently asked about eye issue among Pom owners, and it’s the one I dealt with first with Sash. Epiphora just means excessive tear production or poor tear drainage, and it shows up as reddish-brown staining below the inner corners of the eyes. It’s especially visible on lighter-coloured Pomeranians.

Causes can include blocked tear ducts, allergies, eye irritation from facial hair, or even diet. In Sash’s case, the culprit turned out to be a few long hairs from her muzzle sitting right at the corner of her eye. Once I started trimming that area more carefully and cleaning the corners daily with a damp cloth, the staining reduced significantly within a few weeks.

Tear staining alone isn’t always a sign of disease, but persistent or worsening discharge should always be checked by a vet to rule out infection or a blocked duct.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis — inflammation of the tissue lining the eyelid and covering the white of the eye — presents as redness, swelling, and discharge. The discharge can be watery or thick and yellow-green depending on whether the cause is allergic, viral, or bacterial.

Sash had a mild case once after a walk through a field during high pollen season. Her eyes were pink and slightly goopy the next morning. A vet visit confirmed allergic conjunctivitis, and a short course of drops cleared it up quickly. If you see green or yellow discharge, don’t wait — bacterial conjunctivitis needs treatment promptly.

Distichiasis

This is a condition where extra eyelashes grow from abnormal positions on the eyelid and rub against the cornea. It sounds obscure but it’s actually seen more often in small breeds including Pomeranians. Signs include squinting, excessive blinking, tearing, and your dog rubbing their eye with a paw.

It can range from mildly irritating to genuinely damaging if the rogue lashes scratch the corneal surface repeatedly. Treatment depends on severity — sometimes no treatment is needed, other times the lashes need to be professionally removed. Never attempt to remove them at home.

Cataracts

Cataracts occur when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, reducing vision and potentially leading to blindness if untreated. In Pomeranians, cataracts can be hereditary or develop as a result of diabetes or ageing. They appear as a bluish-white cloudiness in the pupil area.

It’s worth noting that a normal age-related change called nuclear sclerosis also causes a bluish haze in older dogs, but unlike cataracts it doesn’t significantly impair vision. Only your vet or a veterinary ophthalmologist can tell the difference — so if you notice any haziness in your Pom’s eyes, get it looked at rather than guessing.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

PRA is a hereditary degenerative disease of the retina that leads to progressive vision loss and eventually blindness. It typically starts with night blindness — you might notice your Pom hesitating to go into a dark room, bumping into things after dark, or becoming anxious in low light. There is currently no cure, but genetic testing of breeding dogs has helped reduce its prevalence.

If you’re buying a Pomeranian puppy, ask the breeder for proof that both parents have been tested clear for PRA. Responsible breeders will have this documentation without hesitation.

Dry Eye (Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca)

Dry eye happens when the tear glands don’t produce enough moisture to keep the eye surface lubricated. Without adequate tears, the cornea becomes irritated, inflamed, and vulnerable to ulceration. Signs include a dull, dry-looking eye surface, thick sticky discharge, and frequent blinking or squinting.

This condition is manageable with long-term treatment — usually artificial tear drops or medication to stimulate tear production — but it requires a proper diagnosis first. Don’t assume a dry-looking eye just needs some drops from the pet shop.

Corneal Ulcers

A corneal ulcer is a painful open sore on the surface of the eye, usually caused by trauma, a scratch from a foreign object, or secondary to another untreated eye condition. Because Pomeranian eyes are so exposed, they’re at higher risk of catching a twig, a piece of grit, or even a poke from another dog during play.

Signs are hard to miss — intense squinting, pawing at the eye, extreme light sensitivity, and obvious pain. This is a veterinary emergency. Untreated corneal ulcers can perforate and lead to permanent vision loss or loss of the eye itself. If you see these signs, go straight to your vet rather than taking a wait-and-see approach.

At-a-Glance: Symptoms and What They Might Indicate

How to Check Your Pomeranian’s Eyes at Home

You don’t need any special equipment for a basic at-home eye check. I do this with Sash every few days as part of our grooming routine, and it takes less than two minutes once it becomes habit.

• Look at both eyes in good natural light. They should be bright, clear, and symmetrical.
• Check for any cloudiness, redness, or uneven pupil size.
• Look at the area around the eye for discharge, crustiness, or staining.
• Gently pull down the lower eyelid to check the inner surface — it should be a healthy pink, not red or pale.
• Watch for squinting, pawing, or sensitivity to light during your normal interactions.

If anything looks off, note when it started, whether it’s getting worse, and take a photo if you can. That information is genuinely useful for your vet.

Preventative Care That Actually Helps

Keep the Face Hair Trimmed

Long hair around the eyes is one of the most common causes of chronic irritation in Pomeranians. Trim carefully around the eye area using grooming scissors or ask your groomer to do it. I have Sash trimmed every six weeks and it has made a noticeable difference to her comfort.

Clean the Eye Area Regularly

Use a soft damp cloth or specifically formulated eye wipes to gently clean the corners and surrounding fur. Never use human eye drops unless directed by your vet — the pH and formulation are different from what dogs need.

Protect Their Eyes on Walks

In windy, dusty, or high-pollen conditions, keeping your Pom away from long grass and bushes helps reduce the chance of irritants reaching the eye surface. Some owners use dog goggles (sometimes called Doggles) in particularly dusty environments, though Sash’s opinion of them has always been deeply unimpressed.

Schedule Routine Vet Checks

Annual wellness exams should include a basic eye assessment. If you have any concerns between visits, don’t wait for the annual appointment — eyes can deteriorate quickly. For more detail on keeping your Pom healthy year-round, the section on specific Pomeranian conditions covers a range of breed-relevant issues worth knowing about.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my Pomeranian’s eye problem is serious?

Signs that require prompt veterinary attention include intense squinting, pawing at the eye, visible cloudiness or change in eye colour, green or yellow discharge, and any sudden change in vision such as bumping into furniture. Mild redness or mild tearing can be monitored briefly, but if it doesn’t resolve within 24 hours or worsens at all, see your vet. When in doubt, it’s always safer to get it checked — eye conditions can deteriorate faster than most owners expect.

Why does my Pomeranian have brown staining under their eyes?

Brown or reddish staining beneath the eyes is called tear staining and is caused by a pigment in tears called porphyrin. In Pomeranians it can result from excessive tearing, blocked tear ducts, facial hair irritating the eye, allergies, or diet. Regular cleaning of the area with a tear stain remover helps manage the appearance, but if the discharge is heavy or has changed in consistency or colour, a vet should rule out an underlying condition.

Can Pomeranians go blind from eye problems?

Yes, certain conditions such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy, untreated cataracts, and severe corneal ulcers can lead to partial or total blindness if not managed appropriately. PRA has no cure, but many dogs adapt well to vision loss over time. Other causes of blindness are preventable or treatable when caught early, which is why regular monitoring and prompt vet care matter so much.

Are Pomeranian eye problems hereditary?

Some are. Progressive Retinal Atrophy and certain forms of cataracts have a known genetic component in Pomeranians. Reputable breeders should test their breeding dogs for hereditary eye conditions and provide documentation. Distichiasis also has a hereditary element in some breeds. This is why sourcing a puppy from a health-tested line makes a meaningful difference to long-term health outcomes.

How often should I have my Pomeranian’s eyes checked by a vet?

At a minimum, eyes should be assessed as part of your Pomeranian’s annual wellness exam. If your dog has a history of eye problems, your vet may recommend more frequent checks — every six months is common for dogs being monitored for conditions like dry eye or early cataracts. Between appointments, a quick at-home check every few days helps you spot changes early.