Canine cataracts

Abstract

The intraocular lens is uniquely designed to aid focused vision, and diseases of the lens such as cataracts are a common cause of blindness in dogs. The causes of cataracts are discussed including the main aetiologies such as hereditary cataract, senile and diabetic cataracts. The article focuses on dogs, as cataracts are less common in cats, although traumatic cataracts and rarely, inherited, congenital and developmental cataracts do occur in felines. The article discusses ways to examine and classify a cataract; the best way to diagnose an early cataract is examination with a veterinary ophthalmologist. Early detection is important, as it is not advised to breed from dogs affected with hereditary cataracts. Surgical extraction is currently the only method to remove a cataract and restore vision, and the common complications of cataract surgery are also explored.