Cataracts in Dogs PDF Print E-mail

Overview

Cataracts in dogs: Overview

Inside the eye is a lens that focuses light on the back of the eye or the retina. Vision occurs at the retina. The structure of the eye is similar to a camera, which has a lens to focus light on the film. If the lens becomes opaque this is called a cataract.

Cataracts often appear to have a white or crushed ice appearance and are found in the eye's actual lens, not on the surfaceof the eye. Sometimes a condition called "nuclear sclerosis" is confused with cataracts. Nuclear Sclerosis generally occurs in older dogs, appearing as a graying of the lens. This is a normal part of aging.

Causes

What causes cataracts?

Common causes of cararacts in dogs are:

  • Hereditary
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Injury or trauma to the eye
  • Old Age

Treatment

Surgery is the only treatment for cataracts.

Surgery for cataracts in dogs is the same procedure as it is for humans. In a microscopic procedure, the cataract is emulsified and the entire lens is removed. The lens is then replaced with an artificial lens.

After a successful procedure vision is returned to close to normal.

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