Shiba Inu Eye Diseases: Glaucoma, Cataracts, and PRA Explained

Shiba Inu owners should know that three hereditary eye conditions appear in the breed with meaningful frequency: primary closed-angle glaucoma, cataracts, and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). All three are progressive, all three can culminate in blindness, and all three reward early detection. The single most important step you can take is an annual ophthalmologic exam by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist, recorded with OFA or CERF, before breeding and throughout your dog's life. Shibas also suffer from "Shiba eye" corneal dystrophy and entropion, but the three covered here are the most common causes of vision loss in the breed.

Primary Closed-Angle Glaucoma in Shiba Inus

Glaucoma is caused by dangerously high pressure inside the eye, which damages the optic nerve. Shibas carry a breed predisposition for the primary closed-angle form, where the drainage angle inside the eye is anatomically narrow and progressively closes. Unlike secondary glaucoma (caused by injury, lens luxation, or uveitis), primary closed-angle glaucoma is largely genetic and often bilateral, though the second eye may follow weeks to years later.

Warning signs to watch for:

• Red, bloodshot white of the eye
• Cloudy or bluish cornea
• Squinting, pawing at the eye, or visible pain
• Dilated pupil that does not respond to light
• Enlarged or "bulging" eyeball
• Vision loss, especially in low light

This is a true emergency. If you see these signs, go to an emergency vet immediately; irreversible blindness can occur within hours. Diagnosis uses tonometry (measuring intraocular pressure) and gonioscopy to evaluate the drainage angle. Treatment options include topical prostaglandin analogs, beta blockers, surgery (laser cyclophotocoagulation, gonioimplantation), and in end-stage cases, enucleation. The unaffected eye is often treated prophylactically. Lifelong management and 2–4 vet visits per year are typical.

Cataracts in Shiba Inus

A cataract is an opacity in the lens that blocks light from reaching the retina. Shibas develop two main types:

• Hereditary cataracts, typically diagnosed between 1 and 5 years of age, often affecting both eyes
• Senile cataracts in older dogs (10+ years), usually milder

Early signs are a bluish-gray or white cloudiness in the pupil, clumsiness in unfamiliar environments, and hesitance on stairs or in dim light. Diabetes mellitus, common in middle-aged Shibas, also causes rapid-onset cataracts and warrants a blood glucose check whenever a cataract is found.

A veterinary ophthalmologist can confirm the diagnosis and rule out nuclear sclerosis (a normal aging change that does not impair vision). When cataracts cause significant vision loss, phacoemulsification with artificial lens implantation is the standard treatment, with a 90%+ success rate when performed early. Once a cataract becomes "hypermature," surgery is no longer possible and complications such as uveitis or lens luxation become likely. There is no effective medical treatment to reverse cataracts.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) in Shiba Inus

PRA is a group of inherited disorders that progressively destroy the rod and cone photoreceptors. The Shiba Inu form is most commonly PRA-PRCD (progressive rod-cone degeneration), inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. This means a dog must inherit two copies of the mutated gene (one from each parent) to be affected, and carriers can be completely normal.

Onset is typically between 3 and 8 years of age, beginning with night blindness (bumping into things in dim light, reluctance to go outside after dark) and progressing over 1–2 years to total blindness. Pupils become noticeably dilated and highly reflective in low light. There is no cure and no effective treatment; management relies on environmental adaptation, antioxidants (some ophthalmologists recommend lutein and astaxanthin supplements, though evidence is limited), and protecting the dog from hazards.

Genetic testing through OptiGen or Embark identifies carriers and affected dogs before symptoms appear, making it the single most powerful tool breeders have to eliminate PRA from their lines.

The Power of Prevention: Health Testing and CHIC

The Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) recommends three core tests for Shiba Inus:

• OFA or PennHIP hip evaluation
• OFA patellar luxation evaluation
• Eye examination by a boarded ophthalmologist (OFA/CAER)

Annual eye exams are required to maintain CHIC certification, because hereditary eye disease can develop at any age. Before purchasing a Shiba Inu puppy, ask to see the parents' OFA/CHIC numbers and verify them in the public OFA database. A reputable breeder will also perform or have performed prcd-PRA genetic testing on their breeding stock. Rescue and lower-priced Shibas are wonderful options but rarely come with full health records, so schedule a baseline eye exam with a veterinary ophthalmologist within your first few months of ownership.

Living With a Blind Shiba Inu

The good news: Shibas adapt remarkably well to vision loss. Their strong sense of smell, sharp hearing, and confident temperament mean most blind Shibas continue to enjoy walks, play, and full lives. Practical adjustments that help:

• Block pool and stair access with baby gates
• Maintain a consistent furniture layout
• Use verbal cues and scented markers for orientation
• Keep their identification and microchip current, as blind dogs can wander unpredictably when startled

With prompt diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and proactive screening, the prognosis for Shibas with these eye diseases is far better than it was a generation ago, and the future of the breed grows brighter with every responsible health test.