VCA Clinic for Animals

Cataract/Phacoemulsification

April 2021 Issue #2

Louie Bear’s Journey Pet of at VCA Eye Clinic for the Animals month: Louie Bear went blind the week of Thanksgiving 2020. Nicole, Louie Bear’s mom, started noticing that he Louie was bumping into the glass door, walls, and furniture around the Bear house. She also observed that his were opaque (cloudy) and since Louie Bear is a 13y 6m he is a diabetic, she was concerned chocolate Labrador. He about . Louie Bear was first was rescued at the age brought to VCA ECFA on November of one from Labrador 23, 2020 where Dr. Strubbe Rescuers. Louie Bear confirmed cataracts and enjoys lounging in the recommended phacoemulsification garden under his and intraocular implantations. favorite lavender bush, and he also loves to go on walk and say hello to his neighbors. Louie Louie Bear’s Post- Bear finds entertainment in playing Operative Life with his life size Panda Dr. Strubbe returned Louie Bear’s and carrying it around eyesight on December 1, 2020 just the house. in time for the holidays. With his eyesight back to normal, Louie Bear is able to enjoys strolling in his neighborhood and seeing his favorite people again.

“He is so happy and has a sassy swagger in his steps each day! Thanks to Dr. Strubbe and the team.” – Nicole Wissemann.

What is a ?

A cataract is an opacity of the lens Advanced cataracts are a leading within the eye. The lens’ function is to cause of blindness in dogs and are focus light rays on the retina, and generally recognizable by pet owners cataracts decrease vision by as a decrease in the dog’s vision or by interfering with light reaching the a cloudy, whitish-blue appearance to retina. the eye.

What is the complete evaluation of the eyes. At What causes the exam, our doctor will determine if Treatment? cataracts are present and if surgery cataracts? might be an option. After that, the Vision of affected dogs patient will go through preoperative Inherited defects are the most can often be restored to medical testing to see if he/she is the common cause of cataracts in the a normal state by right candidate for the surgery. The dog. Other causes include injuries to surgically removing the first test called an electroretinogram, the eye or diseases such as diabetes abnormal lens and which can determine if the retina is mellitus. substituting an artificial working. The second test is an ocular lens. ultrasound. Here we are looking for retinal detachments, floaters in the The first step is to back of the eye, or anything else that What is the most schedule an would adversely affect the outcome of appointment for a surgery. common question?

The most common question that owners have is: “How soon will my pet be able to see again?” In most cases, Please reach out they will walk out of the hospital being able to see much better than when to us if you would they walked in. This vision will improve as the inflammation like your fur decreases and the eyes begin to heal. babies to be VCA Eye Clinic for Animals (858)502-1277 featured in our [email protected] monthly 5610 Kearny Mesa Road, Suite A, San Diego, CA 92111 newsetter!