Does My Dog Have Cataracts

Does your dog have hazy or blue gray eyes? Have you ever wondered if your dog has cataracts or has trouble seeing?

Pet owners often ask if their dog has cataracts or may assume that their dog has cataracts because of a blue gray haze to the lens of the eye. In this article, we’ll discuss how to differentiate a normal age-related change called lenticular sclerosis from cataracts. Both conditions occur in the lens of the eye, which is used for focusing.

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Lenticular sclerosis, also known as nuclear sclerosis, is the normal age-related change of the lens that causes a bluish gray haze in many senior dogs. Cells in the lens make new lens fibers constantly, and old fibers can leave the lens, which contributes to the haziness of the lens.

Most dogs start to develop this bluish gray haze around the age of 6 or 7. Lenticular sclerosis normally occurs in both eyes and is symmetrical. When our veterinarians look at the eye with an ophthalmoscope, they can still easily view the retina and fundus in the back of the eye, which means that your dog can still see. While this condition doesn’t cause blindness, it can make dogs far sighted and can cause issues with depth perception in severe cases.

Cataracts are different than lenticular sclerosis because they can severely impact vision and can have a variety of causes. A cataract is an opacity within the lens itself. They can be very small (called an incipient cataract) and not interfere with seeing or can be more invasive (an immature cataract), causing blurred vision. All vision is lost when a cataract becomes mature. At this point, we cannot view the back of the eye with the ophthalmoscope anymore. Cataracts have many causes, but the most common are genetics (inherited cataracts), diabetes, and toxic reaction to the lens. After a dog has cataracts, there is no method to clear the lens. Immature, mature, and hypermature cataracts can only be treated by surgical correction.

Dogs have highly developed eyes with good day and night vision. Similar to humans, dogs can get cataracts. While cataracts are often age-related, it’s important to understand that puppies can also get them.

A cataract is a condition where the lens of your pet’s eye becomes cloudy or opaque, and your pet goes blind. Initially, cataracts affect only a small portion of the eye, but grow over time until they cover the lens entirely. In the early stages, it’s difficult to identify cataracts except with a slit lamp that allows our veterinarians to look inside your dog’s eyes. Early cataract detection is essential because then our veterinarians can prescribe drops to reduce inflammation and manage the condition. If not treated early, inflammation often causes other complications, such as lens luxation, in which the lens shifts, or glaucoma, which can damage the retina.

Although all dogs can get cataracts, some breeds are predisposed to hereditary cataracts caused by specific genetic differences. Dog breeds susceptible to cataracts include:

Apart from hereditary factors, several other conditions may lead to cataracts in your pet. A common contributing factor is diabetes. Most dogs with diabetes develop fast-growing cataracts that need urgent treatment. Other common causes of mature cataracts include:

If diagnosed early, our veterinarians can prescribe anti-inflammatory eye drops to reduce inflammation. Also, if the underlying cause is a disease like diabetes or glaucoma, we may slow the growth of the cataract by treating the disease with medication. While these interventions may slow the growth of the cataract, it’s important to note that they cannot cure it or prevent vision loss. The only way to repair a cataract is through surgery, where the old lens is removed and replaced with a plastic intraocular lens (IOL). Generally, the procedure is to perform phacoemulsification, which breaks up the lens so we can remove it through a small incision. We then insert an intraocular lens. After recovery, your dog will have good vision. In some instances, it’s not possible to insert an intraocular lens. If that’s the case, your dog will still be able to see but only have far sight.

It’s important to remember that not all dogs with a hereditary disposition will get cataracts. However, the only way to be certain is to get your pet from a breeder that’s a member of a registered ophthalmic eye certification program. These programs help breeders screen breeding dogs for genetic defects and facilitate breeding disease-free pets.

Juvenile cataracts develop between 6 months and 6 years. In most instances, these cataracts originate through genetic defects passed down through breeding. Viral infections, injury, and poor nutrition may also cause cataracts, leading to blindness.

Dogs mature quickly. Small dogs can breed from 6 months, while large dogs from around 11 to 18 months. It’s often very difficult to determine if breeding parents have genetic defects responsible for cataracts except through testing the breeding dogs’ parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. In this way, breeders can eliminate the predisposition for cataracts and breed healthy dogs.

After cataract surgery, your dog’s eyes may be itchy and sensitive. You’ll need a protective collar to stop your pet from rubbing or scratching its eyes. You will also have to administer eye drops to help heal and keep the eyes moist, as well as administer oral medications.

Keep your dog indoors and in a quiet environment for a few weeks while their eyes heal. If you notice your pet is uncomfortable or if any complications develop, contact a veterinarian immediately.