I would definitely follow your vet's advice and see a veterinary ophthalmologist.
Eye problems are definitely more common in Shitzus or really any any of those short-nosed type of dogs. These dogs have eye sockets that are more shallow than other dogs with longer noses, and that makes their eye balls a little more prone to injury. If this was a simply eye injury such a corneal ulcer, your vet would have been able to tell you this based on a test called a fluorescein stain. The fact that your vet is recommending you see a specialist tells me that he wants to make sure that your dog gets the best possible care as he feels this is a more serious case and it is beyond his ability to handle it. That may be because it is different than anything he has seen before or it may be because in order to determine what is going on, certain equipment may be needed and he does not have that available at his practice.
Eye problems can be very painful and they can worsen quickly. Sometimes whether or not the eye retains vision is determined by how quickly the treatment is instituted. The first step is to find out exactly what the problem is, and then the specialist will go over your treatment options. If you choose not to treat aggressively, at least you will have made the decision having all of the information in front you.
Sometimes the thought of going to a specialist can be intimidating. If you are nervous going to someone with whom you are unfamiliar, keep in mind that they only want what is best for your dog. If there are financial concerns, know that by going there all you are committing to is an examination. From there, he/she will be let you know what needs to be done and provide you with information on the costs of these procedures.
I hope this has helped you. If you have other questions, please let me know.
