In most dogs and cats over 6 years old, the lens nucleus becomes grayish. This can be a concern to pet owners worried about the onset of cataracts. If there is no visual impairment, if true opacification is absent, and if the posterior portion of the eye can be easily visualized with an ophthalmoscope, the condition is considered nuclear sclerosis, a normal aging process of the eye. Visual impairment is not significant enough to affect quality of life.

A cataract is an opacity of the lens that interferes with light transmission to the retina. If cataracts are extensive and bilateral they can result in blindness. Cataracts can be hereditary but can also be associated with trauma, inflammation, diabetes mellitus or nutritional deficiencies. Besides visual impairment, leaking of lens proteins can cause uveitis and secondary glaucoma.

Cataract surgery is very successful in dogs, but the indication for doing surgery is if quality of life is being affected as a result of visual impairment. If there are any questions about vision we will refer you to a veterinary ophthalmologist.

Cataract Eye
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