They say that the eyes are the windows to the soul and you probably can't resist your dog's big soulful eyes, but did you know that those eyes can develop cataracts just like human eyes can? Due to age, genetics or health, up to 2% of all dogs can develop cataracts that can lead to blindness over time.1
Fortunately, surgery can help your dog see clearly again. Here, we look at what's involved in canine cataract surgery, how much it costs and what to expect before and after the procedure.
What are cataracts in dogs?
Eye problems like cataracts can affect both dogs and cats. As with humans, through the cornea (the clear outer portion of the eye) and behind the iris (the colored portion of the eye), there is a lens in the center of the eye that focuses light into the retina, allowing your pup to see. When a dog develops a cataract, the normally crystal clear lens becomes cloudy due to a build-up of proteins either in or on the lens itself. Over time, the cloudiness becomes worse, gradually decreasing your dog's vision and eventually leading to blindness.2
Cataracts can be classified based on what caused them to form, age of onset, location of the opacity within the lens and degree of opacification.
There are four stages of cataracts based on the degree of cloudiness:3
- Incipient: affects less than 15% of the lens without vision issues
- Immature: affects more than 15% of the lens with some vision loss
- Mature: affects the retina with severe vision loss
- Hypermature: causes severe vision loss and blindness with inflammation, uveitis and lens cap wrinkling
Why do dogs get cataracts?
Dogs can get cataracts for a variety of reasons, including:4
- Old age
- Diabetes mellitus
- A genetic predisposition
- Injuries to the eye
- Eye disease, such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) or glaucoma
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Birth defects
- Cancer treatments
- Eye infections
Symptoms of cataracts in dogs
Just what are the symptoms of cataracts in dogs? And what do cataracts look like in dogs? Cataracts form inside the eye, so they don't actually look like a film on the surface of the eye. Many times cataracts will need to be diagnosed using an ophthalmoscope, often with a trained eye. Very mature cataracts can generally be seen without the help of instruments.
Over time, your dog's eyes will naturally become opaque due to a condition called nuclear sclerosis that occurs as they enter their senior years. This is often mistaken for cataracts, but actually is not thought to impair vision. But cloudiness could also indicate a cataract as these conditions can look very similar.4
Symptoms of dog cataracts can include:4,5
- Cloudy eyes
- Clumsiness due to a change in vision
- Trouble seeing in new environments
- Cautious movements
- Staying close to you when outdoors
Note that many dogs with cataracts, especially older dogs with cataracts, tend to memorize their environments remarkably well and you may not notice any signs of decreased vision until the cataracts have progressed.4 To find out if your dog has cataracts, bring them to your veterinarian for an exam if you notice any of these symptoms.
Cataract surgery for dogs
Cataracts are one of the only forms of treatable blindness in dogs. Surgery to replace the cloudy lens with a new artificial one can restore vision for most types of cataracts. Cataract surgery in dogs is very similar to the surgery in people, with removal of the affected lens and the placement of an artificial one. The surgery requires full anesthesia and potentially a hospital stay afterwards.
Prior to cataract surgery for dogs
Before surgery, your veterinarian will perform blood tests and thoroughly examine your dog's eyes to determine whether your dog is a candidate for surgery. Dogs with existing health conditions, retinal diseases that may be contributing to decreased vision, increased intraocular pressure (glaucoma) and other abnormalities may not qualify for surgery.6 If your dog does qualify, they will have to fast for 12 hours prior to surgery.7
How does it work?
Cataract surgery for dogs is very similar to human cataract removal, but it is always done under general anesthesia. During surgery, a veterinary surgeon makes an incision into the cornea to remove the lens. They will then use an ultrasonic device to break up the cataract and remove it. This a process known as "phacoemulsification." Finally, the surgeon replaces the lens with an artificial one and stitches up the incision.3
How long does it take?
Surgery generally takes one to two hours, depending on whether both eyes are done, and the surgeon's skill level. Careful postoperative monitoring with the ophthalmic surgeon is required to identify early changes and address them before they become larger problems, therefore after surgery, your veterinarian may hospitalize your dog for observation and monitoring, or they may release your pup that same day.8
What is dog cataract surgery recovery like?
Cataract surgery for dogs recovery time generally lasts two weeks. During recovery:4,8
- Your dog will wear an e-collar to protect their eyes.
- You'll have to restrict your dog's activities for two weeks.
- Your veterinarian will prescribe several types of eye drops for you to administer three to four times a day that help with healing.
- To prevent pressure on the jugular veins and eyes, you'll need to walk your dog only on a harness after surgery.
Pros and cons of cataract surgery for dogs
Surgery is not without its risks. Generally, the pros of surgery include:3, 5, 7
- Improved vision
- Reduced inflammation of the eye
- Less pain in the eye
- Prevention of glaucoma from developing
The potential cons of surgery are rare, but include complications such as:3, 6, 8
- Glaucoma
- Retinal detachment
- Adverse reactions to anesthesia
- Blindness or poor vision
- Eye infection
- Corneal ulcers
How much does dog cataract surgery cost?
The cost of dog cataract surgery ranges in price from $2,700 to $4,000 per eye. The cost of cataract surgery for dogs typically includes the cost of pre-operative testing, anesthesia, the surgery itself and post-operative care.9
Cataract Treatment Claim Costs
| Species | Average Cost | Max Cost |
| Dog | $567 | $9,733 |
| Cat | $627 | $3,975 |
How successful is cataract surgery for dogs?
Overall, canine cataract surgery has a 95% success rate, with most dogs regaining a majority of their sight within two to three weeks of surgery. Up to 90% of dogs maintain their sight within one year of surgery and 80% within two years of the procedure.8
How many times can my dog get cataract surgery?
Your dog can get cataract surgery one time per eye, not including any procedures to correct a surgical complication. If your dog has cataracts in both eyes, your vet will likely treat both eyes at once.4
Can cataracts come back after surgery?
Yes, your dog can develop a new cataract on their synthetic lens. This condition, known as posterior capsule opacification (PCO) can occur in both dogs and people after cataract surgery.10 However, this may not develop immediately or require additional surgery.11
Cataract eye drops for dogs: what are they and how do they work?
Eye drops that are topical aldose reductase inhibitors have been shown to slow down or even prevent the cataracts that form secondary to diabetes (none of the other types of cataracts though). Unfortunately, these drops are not currently commercially available and are considered prohibitively expensive.12
No other medical therapy has been shown to delay or prevent cataract progression or formation. To date, cataracts remain a surgical disease in animals.
If your dog has hypermature cataracts, your veterinarian may prescribe anti-inflammatory and steroid eye drops to keep the pressure in the eye to a minimum.3 This doesn't treat the cataracts, but rather reduces the inflammation that can be associated with them.
Can dogs live comfortably with cataracts?
Many dogs can live comfortably with cataracts, especially if they are small or incomplete or only in one eye. Dogs can compensate for the blindness caused by cataracts remarkably well and still have a good quality of life.
Cataracts do increase the dog's risk of uveitis (internal eye inflammation), which can be painful, and glaucoma if the lens capsule is compromised. In these cases, surgery is indicated to improve the quality of life. If your dog isn't a candidate for surgery, then chronic treatment with anti-inflammatory eye drops may help them live as comfortably as possible with cataracts.3
Another alternative to cataract surgery and anti-inflammatory eye drops is enucleation, which is the complete surgical removal of the eye(s) affected. This may work best for dogs for whom surgery may not be an option due to factors such as their health, the intense medicating schedule after cataract surgery or the costs involved with cataract surgery itself.13
Can I prevent my dog from getting cataracts?
While there are no treatments that prevent cataracts in dogs, always:14
- Visit your veterinarian to treat any of your dog's eye injuries which could develop into cataracts without proper care.
- Keep up with your dog's annual checkups to help detect conditions like diabetes or glaucoma early enough to treat them and prevent them from causing cataracts.
- Feed your dog a balanced diet approved by your vet to prevent nutritional deficiencies that can cause cataracts.
Is cataract surgery for dogs worth it?
Whether cataract surgery is worth it for your dog depends on your dog's overall health and if they are a candidate for surgery. When considering cataract surgery for dogs, cost is a factor. But when dealing with generally healthy dogs and cataracts in young dogs, surgery is worth it to give your dog back their sight and potentially ward off any complications that can come from cataracts over time.
Keep in mind that you'll have to regularly bring your dog into the vet for check-ups after surgery and you may need to apply eye drops daily to prevent complications from developing during the recovery period and possibly beyond.4 But investing in your dog's sight, even when dealing with an old dog with cataracts, can give them back a good quality of life that will last for years to come.
From Pets Best
Surgery for dogs with cataracts is pricey but a policy from Pets Best Pet Health Insurance can help you afford the best when it comes your dog's veterinary care, including the cost of cataract surgery. Pets Best can also help pay for other types of surgical costs, including pre-surgical care, anesthesia, and even hospitalization after surgery. Choose the right plan for your pet and get a quote today!
Sources
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4 "Cataracts and Cataract Surgery in Dogs," Animal Eye Care, https://animaleyecare.net/informational/cataracts-and-cataract-surgery-in-dogs, accessed November 18, 2022.
5 "Disorders of the Lens in Dogs," Gelatt, Kirk N. (10/2022), Merk Manual Veterinary Manual, https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/eye-disorders-of-dogs/disorders-of-the-lens-in-dogs, accessed November 20, 2022.
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8 "Cataract Surgery for Dogs - What to Expect," Memphis Veterinary Specialists & Emergency, https://www.memphisveterinaryspecialists.com/site/blog-cordova/2020/07/10/what-to-expect-cataract-surgery-for-dogs, accessed November 18, 2022.
9 "Dog Cataract Surgery Costs and How to Save," Diamond, Aliyah, Pawlicy Advisor, https://www.pawlicy.com/blog/dog-cataract-surgery-cost/, accessed November 18, 2022.
10 "Posterior Capsule Opacification: A Review of Experimental Studies," Joanna Konopińska, Maryla Młynarczyk, Diana Anna Dmuchowska, and Iwona Obuchowska, (7/2021), Journal of Clinical Medicine, https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/10/13/2847, accessed November 18, 2022.
11 "Lifting the Veil: Canine Cataracts & Cataract Surgery," Coster, Martin, MSPCA–Angell, https://www.mspca.org/angell_services/lifting-the-veil-canine-cataracts-cataract-surgery/, accessed November 18, 2022.
12 "Cataracts in Dogs," Malcolm Weir and Ernest Ward, VCA Animal Hospitals, https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/cataracts-in-dogs, accessed November 18, 2022.
13 "Cataracts in Dogs," Fatcheric, Eileen, (4/2022), Whole Dog Journal, https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/health/cataracts-in-dogs/, accessed December 12, 2022.
14 "Cataracts In Dogs: Can You Avoid Surgery?" Unger, Julie, (5/2022), Dogs Naturally, https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/cataracts-in-dogs/, accessed November 20, 2022.