We know that bright sunlight can cause discomfort for our eyes, so most of us wear sunglasses or a hat on sunny days to avoid squinting and eye damage. The same is true for dogs; light sensitivity is especially common in dogs with blue and light-colored eyes and a little shade can go a long way to make them more comfortable outdoors.

There are also many eye conditions where sun protection is important including pannus (chronic superficial keratitis), cataracts, iris atrophy, uveitis and sun-induced cancers of the eyes, eyelids and pigment around the eyes. For dogs with shorter noses that are shaded by the bill, the puplid can also protect the nose from sunburn and help reduce the risk for sun induced skin cancers on the nose.