At five years old, Lacey Jo was a playful and happy goldendoodle who always played with her sister or entertained herself with all her toys. On Aug 1, 2025, she had redness in her eyes and was pawing at them. The next morning, we took her to the veterinarian, who examined her and prescribed anti-inflammatory eye drops to quell the redness in her eyes. On Monday, Aug 4, her eyes were still red, and her right eye was just slightly recessed into her eye socket. She was withdrawn and very calculated with her movements. She was taken to the veterinarian on Tuesday, Aug 5, for a more thorough, full-body examination, including checking the pressures in her eyes; just slightly high but within the high-normal range. We were told to continue with anti-inflammatory eye drops but to return in a couple of days for a follow-up. On Thursday, Aug 7, our veterinarian called us for an update, and we explained that nothing was working as she continued to walk around in a guarded fashion, and her eyes were now bulging and red. He immediately sent us to a canine ophthalmologist who diagnosed Lacey Jo with immune-mediated anterior uveitis leading to the occurrence of a secondary, and irreversible condition—rapid-onset canine glaucoma. They told us that she had lost most of her vision and that life is going to be different for us all. We determined that Wednesday, Aug 6 was the date that she lost her eyesight—just five days after she first showed signs of distress. Lacey Jo has adjusted well, and we have come to terms with her prognosis. She still loves her toys and roughhouses (bitey-face) with her sister—just a little less often than before. Her current regimen of eye drops provides some relief, but inevitably, she will be totally blind.

Both Lacey Jo and her sister, Savannah, come from a well-established and reputable breeder who has placed dogs in hundreds of homes in the U.S. and internationally. Her genetic testing showed no indicators of any hereditary disease. This diagnosis of immune-mediated anterior uveitis and rapid-onset canine glaucoma is uncommon in goldendoodles, but it is not zero. In telling Lacey Jo’s story, we want to bring attention to these diseases. We hope and pray that other dogs and their families are made aware of this emotionally charged and debilitating disease. Please be aware of any signs of distress in your dogs and act quickly and accordingly.