Cataract is a disease in which the protein of the lens of the eye is degenerated and becomes cloudy. Just like humans, dogs need management and treatment as they can lead to vision loss and blindness if left unattended.
There are many different causes of cataracts. In general, age-related cataracts occur most with aging, but they can also occur in young dogs due to genetic causes, trauma, eye inflammation, or other diseases such as diabetes. Some cataracts progress so quickly that they can lead to loss of vision in just a few days. According to one study, more than 50% of dogs with diabetes developed a cataract within 5 to 6 months of diagnosis.
The only treatment for cataracts is surgery
Cataracts can be broadly classified into four stages according to their severity. Since the management method and treatment differ depending on the stage, if you suspect your dog has a cataract, it is better to visit the veterinarian as soon as possible. In the early stages of cataract, it is difficult to diagnose cataract without examination, but it can be easily diagnosed at a hospital with ophthalmic equipment.
In the early stages of stage 1 and stage 2, there is no loss of vision. Therefore, rather than undergoing surgery, regular examinations for several months are carried out to monitor the progression of the disease. From the middle stage of stage 2, visual acuity begins to appear, and following stage 3, vision loss occurs, so surgery is performed. In stage 4, since the disease has already advanced a lot, there may be cases in which surgery is not possible. This means that you need regular cataract screening.
There is no other treatment for cataracts other than surgery. There are no treatments that even prevent or slow the progression. The best way is to slow the progression with eye supplements and perform surgery when the time is right. In cataract surgery, ‘ultrasonic emulsification aspiration’ is used to dissolve the cataract with ultrasound, aspirate it, and then insert an artificial lens. If you take good care of it right following surgery, your eyesight can be restored.
A disease that is easy to confuse with a cataract
A disease that is easily confused with a cataract is nuclear sclerosis of the lens. The pupil has a bluish-white appearance, and it develops gradually.
The cause is that new cells are formed in the lens over time, and old cells gather in the center of the lens to accommodate the new cells. As the number of these old cells increases, the center of the lens becomes harder and darker, and nuclear sclerosis develops. The lens is cloudy and is often confused with a cataract. However, as a natural aging phenomenon, it is commonly found in middle-aged or elderly dogs. Because it is not a disease, it does not cause any major problems with vision and does not require treatment or surgery. Of course, cataracts can progress separately, so regular check-ups are necessary.