Article Category: Pet Eye Disorders
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Cataracts

(Added on January 16, 2007)

The lens is a unique living ocular tissue that is normally transparent. The normal lens focuses light on the retina which is the light sensitive nervous tissue that "lines" the back of the eyes.

A cataract is an opacity (or cloudy change) of the lens and looks gray or white instead of clear.

The cataract usually starts as small dots and progresses to involve larger areas of the lens. The rate of progression is difficult to predict and may be very slow or quite rapid. At times the cataract may appear to worsen overnight.

Cataracts may develop in one or in both eyes. if a large portion of the lens becomes white, it prevents light from reaching the retina and blurred vision or even blindness can result.

Cataracts may result from injuries to the eye, inflammation within the eye (Uveitis), and internal diseases that have an effect on the eye such as Diabetes Mellitus and many cataracts are inherited (genetic).

Surgery to remove the cataracts is the only known treatment in animals and man. Successful surgery provides a return of vision.

The over-all health of the patient needs to be assessed before surgery. This will include blood tests, and EKG and possibly chest x-rays or other test to determine if the pet can handle the stress of surgery and anesthesia.

After surgery, there is usually a short (3 week) period of intense eye drop therapy, followed by long term (months)period of low-level eye drop therapy. We can arrange therapy schedules to meet most owners work schedules.

If you are unable to provide this post-operative treatment, surgery is not recommended. Alternatively, if your pet will not or cannot be treated as required, he/she is not a good surgical candidate.

The success rate in cataract surgery has improved markedly in the recent years to 90% in some cases, with the advent of newer medications, instruments, and micro surgical techniques.

Although the success rate has risen dramatically, there are still several complications that can occur. Intraocular bleeding, elevation of intraocular pressures (glaucoma), extreme post-operative inflammation, adhesions, and retinal detachment are all possible. The age (maturity) of the cataract, previous inflammation in the eye (cataract induced uveitis), and co-existing health problems can also decrease success rates.

Because this is a joint effort between Veterinary Ophthalmology Service, you, and your pet. Our experience indicates that well informed and involved clients lead to a greater success rate. Please ask for an explanation of anything in this article that is unclear.