| Ask The Vet -
Q&A |
Question
My 12 year old bearded collie dog is very happy and healthy
but appears to be going blind. Her eyes appear cloudy. Is this cataracts?
Should I be doing anything to try and rectify this or should I leave
her since she is very happy and loves life and long walks. She has
so much energy, she certainly doesn't appear her age. However she
also appears to be going deaf.
Christine Soutar – Essex, UK |
Answering questions:
Susie Samuel MA VetMB MRCVS from
Vet
Help Direct |
| Answer |
Hi
Christine,
Congratulations
on having such a healthy and happy 12 year old collie. Cloudiness
of the eye can be caused by a variety of different conditions, one
of which is cataracts. The only way to tell if your dog has cataracts
is to have her examined by a vet.
Cataracts
occur when the lens of the eye becomes opaque. This prevents light
getting to the retina at the back of the eye resulting in the dog
gradually losing the vision in the affected eye. The condition is
not painful but obviously the dog’s quality of life can suffer
if it loses the sight in both eyes. From what you have told me about
your dog it doesn’t sound like she is at that stage.
It
is possible to surgically correct cataracts most commonly using
a technique called phacoemulsification. This involves a specialist
surgeon pulverising the contents of the lens using a specially designed
vibrating instrument. The contents of the lens is then ‘aspirated’
or sucked out of the lens. The eye can function without a lens but
not quite as well as usual. The lens can be replaced with an artificial
lens but often, depending on the circumstances, an artificial lens
is not used and the dog has a sufficient level of vision without
it.
As
with all surgery there are potential risks with phacoemulsification,
and there is the usual small risk that accompanies the general anaesthetic
that is necessary to perform the operation. The extent of this risk
will depend on the health of your dog. There is also a significant
cost involved. Phacoemulsification is specialist surgery and some
expensive equipment is required. If it turns out that your dog does
have cataracts you may wish to consider surgery to improve her sight
or you may want to leave things as they are at the moment as she
is doing so well.
It
is vital to get your dogs to the vets. Some of the other conditions
that cause cloudiness of the eye are serious, need urgent treatment
and can become painful. If it turns out that she does have cataracts,
have a good chat with your vet about the pros and cons of surgery
before deciding which path to take.
Kind regards,
Susie Samuel MA VetMB MRCVS www.vethelpdirect.com
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Disclaimer:
'Ask The Vet' is not intended to be used for as a substitute for
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are not sure how urgent the condition is use www.vethelpdirect.com
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are Ms Samuel's, they may not necessarily reflect the views of the
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surgeon. |
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