Can A Dog Go Blind From Cataracts

Gwen sila a veterinary opthamologist for bluepearl veterinary partners in michigan categorizes canine cataracts in three ways.

Can a dog go blind from cataracts.

Cataracts in a dog. As with uveitis cataracts can affect either only one eye or both. Most of the time yes dogs with cataracts can still see. One in 10 dogs will become diabetic and 75 of diabetic dogs will eventually go blind.

Contrary to popular belief cataracts do not cause pain in the dog. When it advances this layer will become thicker. Some causes of blindness are the result of issues within the eye while others can be systemic or affect other parts of the body as well as the eyes. However whether the cataract remains static or progresses will depend on the type of cataract the breed and other risk factors.

There are treatments for cataracts however so as a dog owner you have options to help your pet. Here are some common causes of blindness in dogs. Do you know what can cause your dog to go blind and can you do anything about it. Cataracts are a cloudy film that grows over the eye.

Incipient cataracts cover less than 15 percent of the surface area of the lens she says. Cataracts may also be described as incipient immature mature and hypermature. If the opacity progresses to 100 of the lens the dog is blind inthe affected eye. Additionally there are different types of cataracts.

Until recently the development of blindness in a diabetic dog was basically a foregone conclusion but there is a new product called kinostat which has changed this. They grow slowly and lead to complete blindness over time if left untreated. In some cases the development of cataracts can also be slowed down but there are times where surgical treatment isn t an option and your dog is going to lose its sight. A cataract is an opacity in the lens of a dog s eye causing him to have blurry vision.

They can however impede their quality of life. Cataracts can develop literally overnight and if they re not treated glaucoma develops which is an extremely painful condition. Generally the cataract has matured and the dog is blind in a matter of weeks. Glaucoma is a condition that causes pressure to build up in one or both eyes which leads to blindness if left untreated.

Eventually when the disease completes its damage the entire eye will have turned white blinding the dog. If the cataract is small it won t likely disturb the dog s vision too much but cataracts must be. In severe cases of cataracts your dog can go blind. Snoop goes blind in both eyes.