Cataracts in dogs are areas on the lens of the eye which become opaque enough to the point where light cannot pass through the lens. The condition will cause vision impairment, and dogs suffer from this condition more than any other domesticated animal. In most cases of canine cataracts the condition is genetically inherited. Dogs can develop cataracts as early as two months of age.
The two main symptoms that dogs display when they have cataracts is a blue-grey spot in the pupil and problems with vision. Cataracts can occur in one eye, as is usually the case in cataracts caused by injury, or they can occur in both eyes. They can suddenly appear over night and rapidly expand over the eye, or they can slowly develop over a period of years.
If you suspect that your dog has developed cataracts, you will need to have your dog’s eyes examined by a veterinarian or a specialized veterinarian ophthalmologist. The veterinarian will perform a series of tests to confirm the presence of cataracts, or to find out what is causing the changes to your dog’s eyes and vision.
The only treatment for dogs with impaired vision due to cataracts is surgery. The goals of surgery are to restore vision and hopefully prevent the common secondary sequellae of cataracts: uveitis, glaucoma and retinal detachment.