Cataracts in Dogs

Our eyes have lens – similar to a camera lens – that help focus light on the retina. When proteins within the lens begin to cluster together, they cloud that lens and cataracts develop. If the lens is cloudy, it cannot properly focus the image on the retina, resulting in blurry vision and the inability to distinguish colors. By the age of 80, more than half of all Americans have had a cataract or cataract surgery, according to the National Eye Institute. Cataracts can be treated with surgery. But humans aren’t the only ones with blurred vision because of cataracts. Cats and dogs can develop cataracts, often the result of genetics or diabetes. Cataracts are much more common in dogs. According to PetWebMD, if your dog’s eyes look cloudy or bluish-gray, you should have him checked out. While dogs’ eye lens normally become cloudy with age, it’s best to be safe and take him for an exam. Just as we need to protect our eyes, we should pay attention to our four-legged friends as well. By treating your dog for diabetes, you can help with an underlying cause of cataracts. Also, take your dog for regular vet checks and certainly if you notice the dog’s eyes becoming cloudy or other vision problems.