Canine Cataracts: Severity, Symptoms, and Treatment

Cataracts in dogs range from small incipient opacities to mature, vision‑blocking lenses.

Stages & Impact

• Incipient: <15% lens; minimal vision loss.
• Immature: 15–99%; progressive blur.
• Mature: Entire lens opaque; blindness.
• Hypermature: Lens liquefaction; risk of uveitis, glaucoma.

Complications

• Lens‑induced uveitis (LIU)
• Secondary glaucoma
• Lens luxation

Treatment

• Phacoemulsification + IOL (gold standard; >90% success).
• Medical management of LIU/glaucoma pre‑/post‑op.
• Underlying causes (diabetes, heredity, trauma) must be addressed.

Early referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist preserves vision and quality of life.