Pannus in dogs, also called chronic superficial keratitis (CSK), is an immune-mediated inflammation of the cornea: a pink, fleshy film of blood vessels spreads across the clear front of the eye, usually from the outer edge, with dark pigment following behind. It can't be cured, but daily prescription eye medication controls it in most dogs, and dogs diagnosed early usually keep useful sight for life. In Australia, Greyhounds, including retired racers, sit alongside German Shepherds at the top of the risk list.
What pannus looks like, and where it starts
Pannus almost always affects both eyes, although one is often worse. The first sign is a reddish-pink, slightly raised haze at the outer (ear-side) edge of the cornea, most often in the lower-outer corner. Over months it spreads towards the centre, and brown or black pigment settles into the inflamed area.
Check the third eyelid too. In a study of 308 German Shepherds with pannus, 63–69% also had a thickened, depigmented third-eyelid margin (Drahovska et al., 2014). This form, sometimes called atypical pannus or plasmoma, can appear before the cornea changes. If you've noticed a pink, puffy membrane in the inner corner, compare it with our guide to dog third eyelid showing.
Most affected dogs aren't in obvious pain, which is why pannus is often missed until pigment covers much of the cornea. Untreated, CSK can cause discomfort and blindness (Karamatic et al., 2022).
Why Australian Greyhounds get special attention
The key risk study, from 16 US veterinary teaching hospitals and 595 affected dogs, found Belgian Tervueren, German Shepherds, Border Collies, Greyhounds, Siberian Huskies and Australian Shepherds over-represented, with dogs aged 4–7 at 2.36 times the risk of dogs under 4 (Chavkin et al., 1994).
Australia has contributed its own research. A genome-wide study of 109 Australian racing Greyhounds, 70 of them with CSK, found a region on chromosome 18, near the EGFR gene involved in corneal healing, associated with the disease, with the associated haplotype acting as protective (Karamatic et al., 2022). The authors stress that the variants need validating before they can be used in breeding tests. If you've adopted through a Greyhound adoption program, ask for a baseline eye check at your first vet visit.
Sun, altitude and the goggles question
In the US study, dogs living above about 2,100 metres were 7.75 times more likely to be affected than dogs at 900–1,500 metres, and disease rates tracked altitude rather than average sunshine. Almost no Australian dog lives that high, but summer UV here regularly reaches extreme levels, and the Greyhound research team notes that UV exposure worsens CSK. Even so, UV-blocking contact lenses worn on one eye of 26 dogs for six months, alongside ciclosporin, showed no provable benefit (Denk et al., 2011). Shade in the middle of the day and dog goggles are sensible extras, never a replacement for the prescription.
Pannus stages: what you'll see at home
Vets don't all use the same grading chart, so treat this as an owner's guide.
| Stage | What you see | What it usually means |
|---|---|---|
| Early | Pink haze or fine vessels at the outer edge; third-eyelid margin losing its dark rim | Best moment to start treatment; clarity usually fully preserved |
| Moderate | Fleshy pink tissue over part of the cornea; brown pigment at its leading edge | Inflammation responds well; some pigment may remain |
| Advanced | Dark pigment across much of the cornea; bumping into things in dim light | Sight already reduced; specialist options may be discussed |
| Controlled | Pale, quiet eye; old pigment stable, no new pink tissue | The goal. Maintenance drops continue for life |
Pannus or something else?
- Cloudiness from inside the eye: a bluish-grey centre is usually lens ageing or a cataract. See dog cloudy eye.
- Dry eye (KCS): sticky discharge and a dull cornea that can also pigment; the two can coexist. See dry eye in dogs.
- Grass seeds: a very Australian cause of a sudden red, squinting, weeping eye after a walk. Painful and usually one eye, unlike pannus.
- Corneal ulcer: painful, with squinting and tearing. Steroid drops for pannus can worsen an ulcer, so your vet stains the eye first.
If you're unsure whether it's inflammation or infection, our guide to the warning signs of a dog eye infection sets out the differences.
How Australian vets diagnose and treat pannus
Diagnosis is mostly clinical: breed, age and the typical outer-edge pattern in both eyes, with a fluorescein stain to rule out an ulcer and a tear test. Your registered veterinarian may refer stubborn cases to a veterinary ophthalmologist in one of the capital cities.
Treatment combines a topical corticosteroid with an immunomodulator such as ciclosporin or tacrolimus, several times a day at first, then tapered to the lowest dose that keeps the eye quiet. In a clinical study of 41 dogs, five weeks of dexamethasone plus ciclosporin drops cut the average number of corneal quarters invaded by vessels from about 2.6 to between 0.2 and 0.6, and roughly halved the inflamed corneal area (Balicki et al., 2021).
What treatment can and can't change
In the same study, pigment still increased in 27 of 77 corneas while inflammation settled. Redness and vessels clear within weeks; pigment and scarring already there may stay. Start early and you keep more clear cornea. Stopping the drops once the eye looks better is a classic reason pannus comes back.
A daily routine that makes lifelong drops easier
- Clean first. Gently rinse away crust, dust and discharge so the prescription reaches the cornea.
- Wait about five minutes, then apply the prescribed drop or ointment. Space two medications the same way.
- Take a monthly photo of each eye in the same light and at the same angle.
- Walk early or late in summer, when UV is lower.
For step one, we made our gentle daily dog eye drops for eyes that are already sensitive. A dog with pannus is medicated two or three times a day for years, so the cleaning step has to be sting-free:
| Feature | Typical tear-stain cleaner | Pure Majesty Pets eye drops |
|---|---|---|
| pH | Often unstated | 7.0–7.2, matched to natural tears |
| Grade | Cosmetic | Ophthalmic-grade, 10-micron sterile-filtered |
| Moisturising active | Usually none | Sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronic acid) 0.05% |
| Soothing botanicals | Rarely listed with amounts | Aloe vera 8%, chamomile 2%, pro-vitamin B5 |
| Stain control | Peroxide or bleach in some | Sodium phytate 0.15% |
| Alcohol / fragrance | Common | None |
To be clear: these are non-medicated hygiene drops. They don't treat pannus or replace ciclosporin, tacrolimus or steroids; they make the prescribed routine easier to keep up and help keep tear staining off the face. Made in Canada, 120 mL, with free worldwide shipping and import duties and GST paid in advance (DDP), so nothing is charged on delivery. Browse our dog eye care products for Australia.
When to call your vet
- Any new pink film at the outer edge of the eye in a Greyhound, German Shepherd, Border Collie or Siberian Husky over the age of 3.
- Squinting, pawing or a tightly closed eye, especially after a walk through long grass.
- A sudden cloudy, blue or enlarged eye: same-day appointment.
- Pink tissue returning after the dose was reduced.
Frequently asked questions
How long can a dog live with pannus?
A normal lifespan. Pannus affects the eyes, not general health. What's at stake is sight, and consistent treatment preserves it in most dogs.
Is pannus painful for dogs?
Usually not. If your dog squints or rubs the eye, ask your vet to check for an ulcer or a grass seed.
Can pannus in dogs be cured?
No, but it can be controlled. Prescription drops settle the inflammation within weeks, and a low maintenance dose keeps it quiet long-term.
Is there a genetic test for pannus in Greyhounds?
Not yet. Australian research has found a promising region on chromosome 18, but the variants need validating before they can be used in breeding programs.
Scientific References
- Chavkin MJ, Roberts SM, Salman MD, Severin GA, Scholten NJ. Risk factors for development of chronic superficial keratitis in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 1994;204(10):1630-1634. PMID 8050943
- Karamatic S, Goode R, Bageswaran N, et al. Genome-Wide Association Analysis for Chronic Superficial Keratitis in the Australian Racing Greyhound. Genes (Basel). 2022;13(8). PMID 35893065
- Drahovska Z, Balicki I, Trbolova A, Mihalova M, Holickova M. A retrospective study of the occurrence of chronic superficial keratitis in 308 German Shepherd dogs: 1999-2010. Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences. 2014;17(3):543-546. PMID 25286670
- Balicki I, Szadkowski M, Balicka A, Zwolska J. Clinical study on the application of dexamethasone and cyclosporine/dimethyl sulfoxide combination eye drops in the initial therapy of chronic superficial keratitis in dogs. Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences. 2021;24(3):415-423. PMID 34730300
- Denk N, Fritsche J, Reese S. The effect of UV-blocking contact lenses as a therapy for canine chronic superficial keratitis. Veterinary Ophthalmology. 2011;14(3):186-194. PMID 21521443
Veterinary disclaimer: This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. Pannus must be diagnosed and managed by a registered veterinarian. Pure Majesty Pets eye drops are non-medicated hygiene products; they do not diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease and are not registered as veterinary chemical products with the APVMA.