How to test if a bunny has gone blind in an eye

[Biscuit@Smores]

Hi! My rabbit Biscuit, neutered and 7 years old, has been closing his eyes quite a bit, and when I check, his eye seems fine, with no scratches, no swelling, or tears. He has also been acting normal. He opens his eyes sometimes, though it is slightly closed compared to his other eye, or he will squint or keep it shut.

I know that he is getting old, and my folks also think the issue is just aging. I wanted to test if he is blind in that eye, or if his vision is fine, but when I tried I think he ended up hearing me or just noticing my scent. His favorite snack (orange leaves) is also pretty fragrant. In the past, he also usually doesn’t bother to search for food if we toss him a treat. He will notice it but if it falls behind him, he will sniff around for a second and then not bother.

Any ideas? Thank you!

[LBJ10]

Can you see the back of his eye? Could he be developing a cataract in that eye?

[Biscuit@Smores]

Sorry for the delayed response. I checked, and it doesn’t seem like cataracts. His eye has gone back to normal, with no squinting. He doesn’t seem to react when I wave a stick around that specific eye, but he will with the other eye. I’ve tested it a few times with similar results. Would that be a signaler that he may be visually impaired or blind in his eye?

[LBJ10]

It can be hard to tell sometimes with rabbits. You can act like you’re going to stick your finger in their eye and they don’t flinch. Does he bump into things or seem lost at times? One thing I noticed with my bunny who had cataracts is he would think my shadow was me sometimes.

[Biscuit@Smores]

Thats what I was doubting, if he just doesn’t care about the stick. He doesn’t seem to bump into things. I think he also just can tell by scent and sound. I also walk pretty loudly. So I think he can tell. I’ll see of I can take a picture of his eye and link it in a following reply

[Biscuit@Smores]

Left(current) Right(previously)

[Wick & Fable]

Considering he is actively squinting that eye, I would have this properly assessed by a vet. They often need to use specialized scopes and a dying agent to examine an eye. It’s possible there is an internal injury going on, as rabbits who are blind do not necessarily squint their eye lids at all– they just keep the eye open and you see the very obvious cataract.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Biscuit@Smores]

Currently, he isn’t squinting and has no cataract, but I am most definitely taking him to a vet.

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