Conditions we diagnose and treat:
Cataract: A cataract is cloudiness of the lens inside the eye. We offer surgical removal of cataracts with replacement inner eye lens (IOL) insertion to restore vision. Dr. Canton has been performing cataract removal surgery since 1986. For more information on cataracts and cataract surgery, click here.
What is a cataract? <diagram> <photos normal lens, cataract, cataract surgery>
A cataract is cloudiness of the lens inside the eye. A cataract may be very small and not affect vision or may be larger and cause blindness or poor vision. Some types of cataract will compromise vision more in certain lighting conditions than in other conditions.
Cataracts may develop for a variety of different reasons. Some types of cataract will progress and others will progress slowly or not at all.
We offer cataract removal surgery and replacement intraocular lens (IOL) insertion to restore or improve vision for most patients. Some patients are not good candidates for successful return of vision by cataract removal due to coexisting eye conditions or other medical problems.
Dr. Canton has been performing cataract removal surgery since 1986. In nearly thirty years, veterinary ophthalmologists have become tremendously more successful in restoring vision by cataract removal due to many technical advances including:
- Phakoemulsification (small incision, “laser” surgery),
- Replacement inner eye lens insertion (intraocular lens - IOL -implantation),
- Improved screening methods that detect problematic inner eye disease: electroretinography
(ERG) and high frequency ophthalmic ultrasonography, - Advanced anesthetic protocols that help with relaxation of the eye and adjacent eye and eyelid muscles
- More effective medications that help control inner eye inflammation, regulate eye pressure, and protect delicate adjacent inner eye structures
Diabetic cataracts
Cataracts develop very commonly in dogs with diabetes mellitus, even when diabetes control with insulin has been excellent and consistent.
Cataracts in diabetic dogs may develop suddenly and progress very rapidly (sometimes even overnight) to cause blindness.
If your companion dog is diabetic, your veterinarian should monitor the eyes carefully for development of cataract and for cataract-associated inner eye inflammation. Inner eye inflammation should be treated promptly to avoid inner eye scarring and other changes that could cause pain or significantly reduce surgical success if surgery is elected.
Most diabetic dogs with cataract are good candidates for cataract removal surgery.
Cataracts in most diabetic dogs can be successfully removed and replacement intraocular lenses inserted to restore vision. A diabetic dog should be examined promptly by a veterinary ophthalmologist as soon as cataracts are detected (either by your veterinarian or if you have noticed them at home). Diabetic retinopathy (common complication of diabetes in people with diabetes) is very rare in canine patients. Feline (cat) patients with diabetes rarely develop cataracts
Cataract surgery
Surgical removal of the lens is the only effective method available to restore vision in an eye with a cataract of sufficient density and size to compromise vision. Usually this is accomplished by phakoemulsification, which utilizes ultrasonic fragmentation of lens fibers (entire cortex and nucleus) with simultaneous intraocular irrigation and removal of the micro-fragmented lens particles. Phakoemulsification has a major advantage over older cataract removal techniques (manual extracapsular cataract extraction), in that with phakoemulsification the smaller incision allows for complete removal of cloudy lens material and typically results in minimal post-operative inner eye irritation (iridocyclitis), more rapid healing, and minimal post-operative patient discomfort.
Surgical replacement of the lens is done immediately following cataract removal by phakoemulsification (at the same surgical time). A variety of canine intraocular lenses (IOL) are currently manufactured for use by veterinary ophthalmologists. Successful IOL insertion allows for normal vision in most patients.
Is cataract surgery an option for my companion?
Many factors can influence weather surgery is a good option and if surgery will be successful.
In general, the best candidates for successful vision restoration by cataract removal surgery are those that either lack coexisting eye conditions or have controlled coexisting eye disease. Frequently if there are coexisting eye diseases, medication can be used prior to surgery allowing surgery to be done.