Just when canine prom dresses and rain hats seemed to be a little over the top, Doggles were released into the market.
No, I'm not kidding. They were designed as a way to mix fashion with necessity.
Skeptical? I don't blame you; I was too.
Then I did some research and found out that ocular trauma - or eye injury - is very common in dogs. And after reading up on Doggles, I realized they actually are useful in protecting dogs' eyes from foreign objects, wind, other animals and ultraviolet (UV) rays.
As humans, we're told from childhood about the importance of wearing sunglasses and sunscreen to protect against harmful UV rays - so why not consider taking such precautions for your dogs?
Doggles are tight-fitting to prevent any rays from coming in. Also, the anti-fog lenses are made of polycarbonate so they won't shatter.
"Corneal abrasions are the most common eye injuries for dogs," local veterinarian Erica Blackman said.
"My concern with the Doggles would be that they're not going to leave them on; they're going to take them off."
But the design is simple and solid: There are two lenses, a chin strap and a head strap. The nose piece was designed to fit comfortably across the bridge of the snout, so dogs won't be tempted to push the goggles off. And there are foam pads under each of the lenses to provide a comfortable experience for each dog.
For dogs already experiencing vision loss, Doggles offers custom prescription lenses to enhance vision.
"The most common [dog] eye injury is probably related to trauma to the cornea," Veterinarian Ben J. Character said in his article published on the ESPN Outdoors Web site. "Corneal ulcers and superficial lacerations can occur from a variety of sources. Briars, small sticks, foreign bodies and trash can get into the eye damaging the cornea."
Now, I'm not suggesting you strap a pair on your canine and send him into battle with another dog, but the benefits outweigh the affordable cost of these protective dog glasses.
Goggles would not be necessary for short walks outside, but when you know your dog is going to be out in the sun for an extensive period of time, it would benefit him if you strap the light-weight protective goggles onto his head to ensure he's protected from the sun.
For instance, while taking hikes or long walks in wooded areas, goggles can serve to protect dogs from thorns, shrubs or sticks that could be protruding at eye level.
Wind can also severely damage dogs' eyes, and soaring down the road or riding in a boat with your dog's face to the wind is a ticket for disaster. As if wind isn't enough, imagine your dog getting hit in the face with flying debris while trying to enjoy a car ride.
According to an article published at PetNeighbor.net, "Damage to the eye is very common, and unfortunately the eye is very sensitive and reacts aggressively to any injury. Complications from infections to total blindness may result."
In the article "Taking Care of Your Dog's Eyes," on the Web site Bark Bytes, Malcom Dupris tells dog owners: "Prevention of injury is one important step that dog owners have the most control over."
So, while at first I thought Doggles seemed to be nothing more than another dog fashion accessory, now it doesn't seem so absurd to have them.
In fact, if you care about your dog's vision, it seems absurd not to have them.
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