Understanding Cataracts In Dogs

Cataracts occur when the protein in the lenses of the eyes begins to break down and cluster together. This causes the lenses to become opaque and prevents light from entering your dog's eyes, so they'll experience a degree of vision loss that corresponds with the degree of opaqueness. As a degenerative eye condition, cataracts often develop gradually, but the condition can also appear suddenly. Symptoms associated with cataracts include clumsiness, decreased interest in play and loss of confidence. Here's an overview of the causes of cataracts in dogs and the treatment approach:

Causes

It's not always possible to pin down the cause when a dog develops cataracts, but the condition can be caused by the following:

• Age-related degeneration of the eyes
• Damage caused by inflammatory eye conditions, such as uveitis
• High glucose concentration in the blood vessels of the eyes, which tends to occur in diabetic dogs
• Too much protein being produced in the eyes as a side effect of corticosteroid medication

Treatment Approach

A cataract is easy to diagnose if your dog's eye is noticeably opaque. However, if the condition is in the early stages of development, the vet will examine your dog's eyes and take a detailed account of their health history. They may also arrange an ultrasound of your dog's eyes to establish the degree of damage. Blood tests can be used to determine whether or not your dog has an underlying health condition, such as type 2 diabetes, which could have caused the cataracts to develop.

The only way to treat cataracts is to remove the damaged lenses. This is a straightforward procedure that's typically carried out as a day case. One eye is operated on at a time, and the damaged lens is removed by breaking it down with an ultrasonic surgical tool and suctioning it out of the lens capsule. An artificial lens is then placed in the lens capsule, and your dog will experience an immediate improvement in their sight. Your dog may be prescribed a short course of antibiotic drops to prevent them developing an eye infection, and your vet will want to examine your dog's eyes a few weeks after their surgery to ensure they are in good condition.

You can minimise the discomfort caused to your dog by cataracts by making sure they receive treatment as soon as possible after diagnosis. If you have any concerns about the health of your dog's eyes, schedule a consultation with your vet.