**Shih-Tzu Eye Issues**
Corneal ulcers can arise from distichiasis, a condition where an extra row of eyelashes develops along the eyelid edges. Even if the eyelashes don’t always turn inward, they can irritate the cornea with each blink. In severe cases, pustules may form beneath the eyelids. Dogs with distichiasis often squint, experience excessive tearing, and may show cloudiness in their eyes. Eye diseases can appear as as 8 weeks in some puppies, but definitely before they reach 1 year of age. I've observed juvenile cataracts in an entire litter as young as 6 weeks. Breeding should never be repeated in such. Occasionally, groomers may trim eyelashes too closely, leading to irritation and corneal ulcers. The Shih Tzu's large, round eyes and flat face make it prone to eye injuries. Blue eyes and white eye rims are indicators of a genetic predisposition to eye defects in puppies. Many Shih-Tzus with crystal-blue eyes may go blind early in life, likely due to insufficient pigment. A Shih-Tzu with one blue eye is not ideal for breeding; their eyes should be dark and clear. Liver-colored dogs may have two light eyes that appear green, which is normal. Even if both parents' eyes appear clear, there is still a 25%-50% chance that a puppy could an eye issue if both parents carry a recessive gene for eye disease. F certification does not guarantee that a puppy will never develop eye problems later.  
Tear stains could be from infection, yeast, food dyes. and allergies. Changing food and providing distilled water may help. Angel Eyes is used safely by many owners. 

 Cherry Eyes
      Cherry eyes are more frequently seen in flat-faced breeds and can be repaired without harming vision. Some veterinarians may opt to remove them, while others recommend costly surgery to prevent dry eye. My daughter had them removed from her bulldog without any issues of dry eyes. Cherry eyes appear as a lump resembling a cherry in the corner of the eye; while not painful they can be unsightly. My guideline is to avoid breeding dogs that have or have produced cherry eyes. I've noticed liver Shih-Tzus tend to have them more often than black-nosed ones because the liver gene is recessive and may exacerbate genetic issues. Breeding liver to liver significantly increases the risk. More information can be found online.

​