Cataracts and Cataract Surgery

Information For Our Clients

A cataract is an opacity or “clouding” of the eye lens. Cataracts Terriers, and Cocker Spaniels. Other causes of cataracts are age impair vision by preventing light from focusing properly on the and diabetes. Intraocular inflammation, trauma, or exposure retina, resulting in poor vision or blindness. to certain chemicals can also lead to cataract formation.

Cataracts can affect dogs of all ages. They are usually inherited, Please visit our website at www.medvetohio.com to watch with some breeds being more susceptible than others. More an informational video on cataracts and cataract surgery. susceptible breeds include Poodles, Bichon Frise, Retrievers,

Frequently Asked Questions

How do we evaluate and microscope and requires has been performed by one of the cataract will remain and the treat cataract conditions? general anesthesia. After the our ophthalmologists. lens will continue to leak lens proteins into the eye. These During your first appointment, cataract is removed, an artificial What are the potential proteins cause inflammation a complete ophthalmic lens is implanted to allow light complications of cataract within the eye, and predispose examination will be performed to focus properly on the retina, surgery? your pet to a lens luxation, to determine the level of offering the patient corrected retinal detachment and/or visual impairment, likelihood vision. Without a lens implant, Complications directly related glaucoma. A retinal detachment of cataract progression, your pet is considered to the surgery, although very is not painful; however, lens and the next course of farsighted. uncommon, include anesthetic luxation, inflammation and action recommended by It is common for both eyes to death, hemorrhage, infection, glaucoma are painful and the ophthalmologist, be it be affected by cataracts, but not and incisional dehiscence. warrant medications or surgery monitoring or surgery. An necessarily at the same time. Long term risks of having to alleviate pain. If your pet electroretinogram (ERG) and When both eyes are affected, had a cataract include does not have cataract surgery, ocular ultrasound will be cataract surgery is often glaucoma, inflammation, we recommend that a complete offered to evaluate the condition performed in both eyes at the and retinal detachment. ocular examination with of the retina. If retinal function same time. The ophthalmologist will intraocular pressure evaluation is normal, cataract surgery discuss any short and long Without a lens implant, your pet be performed every 3-6 months and lens implantation will be term complications with you will be farsighted: therefore, to prolong comfort for your discussed in detail, including a before and after the surgery. implantation of artificial lenses pet, and the ophthalmologists review of the surgical success Follow-up appointments and is attempted in all cases. may recommend eye drops to rate and potential complications administration of medications try to prevent the secondary unique to your pet. What is the success rate of as recommended are extremely cataract surgery? important to help minimize complications of cataracts. How is cataract surgery risks of complications and The success rate for cataract performed? maintain sight. surgery is over 90%. However, Cataract surgery involves the if the cataract is advanced, the What happens if my pet does removal of the cataract by surgical success rate could be not get cataract surgery? phacoemulsification. This lower. Your pet’s individual If your pet does not get cataract procedure is performed situation will be discussed with surgery, for whatever reason, with the aid of an operating you in detail once an evaluation Cataracts and Cataract Surgery continued

The MedVet Ophthalmology team includes board certified specialists who use the most advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies to provide cutting edge ocular care. With the support of technicians solely dedicated to ophthalmology, the department is recognized internationally as a leader in ophthalmic care and has earned the trust of family veterinarians and clients for decades.

What Does it Mean to be Specialized in NOTES Veterinary Ophthalmology? An ophthalmologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions involving the eyes and associated structures. The veterinary ophthalmologists at MedVet have dedicated their practice to protecting and preserving sight in all animal species including dogs, cats, horses, birds, exotic and zoo animals. Highly specialized equipment, identical to that used by your own ophthalmologist, is used by veterinary ophthalmologists for examination and treatment of your pet. Our operating rooms are also equally equipped to handle the very specific needs of eye surgery including operating microscopes and microsurgical instrumentation and equipment. A board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO). There are just over 300 actively practicing members of the ACVO in North America. In order to become a Diplomate of the ACVO, one must complete a 1-year internship and a 3-year ophthalmology residency after graduation from veterinary school. These residencies are very rigorous and highly competitive. After successful completion of the residency, the veterinarian may be eligible to sit for the board examinations. If the candidate passes all four parts of the examination, he or she becomes a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.