Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cataracts: when to refer.
- Journal:
- Topics in companion animal medicine
- Year:
- 2008
- Authors:
- La Croix, Noelle
- Affiliation:
- The Veterinary Medical Center of Long Island · United States
Plain-English summary
Cataracts are cloudy areas that form in the lens of the eye, which can make it hard for pets to see clearly. They can also cause inflammation in the eye. When cataracts are severe, the usual treatment is to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial one to help restore vision. How well this surgery works often depends on how advanced the cataract is when it's removed. This article discusses how cataracts develop and gives veterinarians guidelines on when to refer pets for surgery.
Abstract
Unique stages of cataract development have been characterized in both human and animal lenses. These lens opacities impair visual acuity and are associated with inflammation. Total lens removal is typically followed by implantation of an artificial intraocular lens to restore vision. The success of this procedure is mainly dependent on the developmental stage of the cataract to be removed. This article reviews cataract development and provides the clinician with cataract referral criteria.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18544332/