My old girl- I was hoping for some help with her eyes

[PhotoByTrace]

Hi all,
I've been trying to make sure I capture more photos of my dog Missy, as at 14 and a half, I'm not sure how many more photo opportunities we'll have. She's quite fit and healthy, but is mostly blind. As you can see from the photos, she has severe cataracts.
Usually I don't edit the blue from her eyes, but this time round I wanted to try, but have found I am not having success with keeping my edits realistic looking. If anyone can point me to a tutorial that might help I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

[Trina]

Hi Trace,
Lovely friend you have there.... I dont know what PP software you use.. but here is a thread we had earlier on fixing pet eyes in Photoshop or PSE and I bet it would work in this case as well...

[PhotoByTrace]

Thanks Carl and Trina. And sorry I should have mentioned I have Lightroom4 and CS5 for PP software.

Trina, thanks for posting the link. That was "roughly" what I had been trying, as I've used similar on glowing eyes before. But I was struggling this time. After fiddling for a long time I just couldn't get a selection that was even; especially on her left eye. And if it selected the whole iris I was getting very flat looking results. I think it was just too large an area for a "flat" fill. I also tried just burning it with progressively darker but didn't really like the result I was getting with that either.

So Carl, thank you... I went back into Lightroom and grabbed the adjustment brush and burned in various adjustments and also adjusted the tint some as I went. I'm still not "enamoured" with the result, and there's is still more of a blue tinge than dark brown, but I think it is an improvement. In hindsight I could have achieved the same in Photoshop but in the end Lightroom made it easier to adjust the treatments on the brush as I went.

Thanks heaps to both of you for your input!






And also if there is anyone else with further input and resources to point me towards please keep sharing.

[Bobobird]

I just wanted to say that she is a lovely looking companion. Yes, while you can you should get as many shots as possible.

There is no way to fix the eyes or at least one?

[PhotoByTrace]

Hi Bobo,
Yes, that would solve my photoshop dilemma too

She can have cataract surgery to have them removed. Unfortunately she is sensitive to anaesthetic and we nearly lost her a few years ago when she was under having surgery. So while the drugs and procedures have improved since then I've been reluctant to put her under to have her cataracts removed. She is fit, but anaesthetic still does take a lot out of their system, and I guess I just didn't want to risk it.

I've recently moved house and watching her struggle to find her way around (especially as there were boxes everywhere and I kept moving stuff around on her) made me seriously think about it once again. But within a week she had the new house and yard sorted in her "GPS". She also comes to the beach with us every couple of days and on-lead walks around the neighbourhood. She isn't fearful, so I'm comfortable that there is still quality of life for her

[Bobobird]

Recent advance in human cataract surgery has one in and out of surgery in 10-15 minutes and I think only local anaesthetic.

Perhaps see the vet again.

But you are the best judge of her condition of course and if the GPS works then it works.

Animals like humans learn ways to overcome their issues.

[NorthernFocus]

Your repost looks pretty good, Trace.

Reading your post really pulled at my heartstrings. We lost our two old GSPs last year within a couple months of each other at nearly 16 years old. Amazing how attached we get to the little critters. Enjoy her while you can and definately take plenty photos.

[Carl in Louisiana]

Your Welcome Trace, just glad I could be of a little help. The re-work does look much better, maybe not like they use to be but better.
We once had a cat that was mostly blind from birth. She learned her way around the house and the yard and did very well unless something was moved out of place. They learn to adapt. I know what you mean about taking chances with her and the surgery especially at her age. God Bless!

[PhotoByTrace]

Yes Dan, with each of my fur-kids that passes my heart struggles. To lose two close together like that would have been hard on you. I have four dogs at the moment: fourteen, twelve, nine and three years old. So I know there will be some heart-break in the next few years. But there will be a new puppy this year too most likely, so with that comes even more joy and more love. And I will definitely keep focussing the camera on them trying to capture as many of those valued moments as I can.