Cataracts in Dogs – What Owners Need to Know

By Brittany Schlesener, DACVO

If your dog’s eyes are starting to look cloudy, you might be wondering whether cataracts are to blame. Cataracts are a common condition in dogs, but they don’t always mean blindness is inevitable. With modern treatment options, many dogs with cataracts can regain functional vision and enjoy an excellent quality of life.

What Do Cataracts Look Like in Dogs?

Cataracts occur when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, blocking light from reaching the retina. Instead of a clear “window” to the back of the eye, the lens looks like it has a white, gray, or bluish film inside.

Which Pets Are at Risk?

• Genetics: Many breeds (poodles, spaniels, huskies, schnauzers, terriers, retrievers, among others) are predisposed.
• Diabetes mellitus: Cataracts are extremely common in diabetic dogs, sometimes developing rapidly (days to weeks). 
• Age-related changes: Though not all cloudy lenses are cataracts, older dogs are at higher risk. Senile cataracts are part of the aging process and occur in both animals and humans.

Signs of Cataracts in Dogs

• Cloudy or opaque appearance in one or both eyes
• Bumping into furniture or walls, especially in low light
• Hesitancy with stairs or jumping
• Behavior changes (clinginess, anxiety, or withdrawal)
• Ending up in dangerous settings (e.g. falling into pool or walking into traffic)

How to Treat Cataracts in Dogs

The only way to truly restore vision is surgical removal of the cataract and replacement with an artificial lens, similar to human cataract surgery.

• Success rates are high: With proper patient selection and care, most dogs regain vision.
• Pre-surgical evaluation is critical: This includes ultrasound of the eye and ERG (electroretinography) to check retinal health, along with bloodwork to check systemic health prior to anesthesia and a few week course of topical and oral medications post-surgery.
• Medical management: Eye drops cannot dissolve cataracts, but they may be prescribed to control inflammation and reduce the risk of complications that cataracts can cause (e.g., discomfort from inflammation, glaucoma, retinal detachments, bleeding into the eye, etc.).

Life After Cataract Surgery

Dogs that undergo successful surgery often return to a normal, playful lifestyle. Owners frequently report that their pets are more confident and active once their vision is restored. Post-operative care is essential, involving eye drops, activity restriction, use of a plastic/hard Elizabethan collar, and several follow-up visits with your veterinary ophthalmologist.

Take-Home Message

If you suspect your dog has cataracts, don’t wait. An early diagnosis gives you more options and a better chance of restoring vision. At the very least, try to avoid the secondary complications that cataracts can cause. With today’s veterinary ophthalmology advances, cataracts don’t have to dim your dog’s future.