Cataracts commonly occur in animals and can strike pets of all ages. Causes of cataracts in pets include metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus, inherited tendencies such as is seen in the Bichon Frise dog, and degenerative retinal diseases.

Treatment of cataracts requires surgery, performed by a veterinary ophthalmologist. Surgery for correction of cataracts requires special training in a technique called phaecoemulsion. In this operation, a thin probe is introduced into the cataract through a very small incision. High frequency sound waves produced by the probe break down the cataract much the same way as kidney stones in people are broken down. Post-operatively, the patient experiences minimal discomfort and quickly restored vision in the operated eye. Once operated on, cataracts do not recur.

Cataracts are curable! Success rates for cataract surgery are 90-95% in properly selected pet patients. Selection of pets who would benefit from cataract surgery is performed by a veterinary ophthalmologist, after your veterinarian diagnoses the condition and arranges a referral exam and consultation.

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