Have you noticed clouding in your pet’s eyes? This can be unsettling, but it’s not uncommon, especially in older pets. Several things can cause cloudiness, but it’s often a sign of cataracts. Cataracts happen when a normally transparent lens becomes opaque. When this happens, it blocks or scatters light before it reaches the retina. Small cataracts may not affect vision much, but large ones can cause significant visual impairment.

Animal Eye Care of New England provides specialty veterinary cataract care for dogs and cats in the Boston, MA area. We help families understand whether a change involves the lens, another part of the eye, or a normal age-related process. As your New England veterinary ophthalmologists, we are here for you.

What Causes Cataracts in Dogs and Cats?

Cataracts can develop for several reasons. It’s also important to realize that the patterns differ between species. Inherited cataracts are fairly common in dogs. Several breeds have a heightened risk. Cataracts can also be caused by diabetes mellitus, inflammation, trauma, radiation, nutritional problems, and other causes.

Diabetes is particularly concerning in dogs, because elevated glucose can trigger rapid changes. A dog may develop vision problems relatively quickly after developing diabetes. Veterinary ophthalmic evaluation can help by monitoring the eyes and addressing inflammation or other complications.

Kitties are different. Cataracts are less common in cats than in dogs. Feline cataracts are often caused by inflammation inside the eye, or anterior uveitis. Inherited cataracts can also occur in cats. Identifying and addressing underlying ocular inflammation is an important part of evaluating a feline patient.

Signs of Cataracts in Dogs

A visible white, gray, or cloudy appearance behind the pupil may indicate a cataract. However, depending on its size and location, an early cataract may be difficult to recognize without specialized examination. Your pet can have significant lens opacity before you notice a dramatic change.

Vision changes become more apparent as a cataract blocks light from reaching the retina. Your pup may become more cautious on stairs, hesitate in unfamiliar surroundings, bump into objects, or have difficulty locating the toys you toss for him. Changes may be more obvious in certain lighting conditions or when your dog is away from his familiar home environment.

Changes in eyesight can also affect behavior. Fido may stay closer to you, move more slowly, or seem less confident, especially during walks and in unfamiliar places. These behaviors aren’t specific to cataracts, so a veterinary exam is needed to distinguish lens disease from retinal, neurological, mobility, or other medical problems.

Cataracts in Cats Can Look Similar but Have Different Causes

A cataract creates opacity within the lens and can interfere with your pet’s vision. You may notice cloudiness, hesitation when jumping, difficulty navigating, or other evidence of reduced sight. Cats can compensate remarkably well in familiar environments, which can make gradual vision changes difficult to recognize.

The underlying cause deserves particular attention in feline patients. The veterinary examination should look beyond the lens itself. Redness, squinting, pupil changes, or other abnormalities may indicate additional ocular disease.

A cat with a cloudy-looking eye should be evaluated rather than assumed to have a simple age-related cataract. Corneal disease, inflammation, glaucoma, and other problems can also change an eye’s appearance. Identifying which structure is cloudy is the first step toward an accurate diagnosis.

Cloudy Eyes in Dogs and Cats Are Not Always Cataracts

One common source of confusion is nuclear sclerosis, also called lenticular sclerosis. This normal, age-related change can make the lens look bluish-gray or hazy in older animals. It is not the same as a cataract.

Nuclear sclerosis generally lets light pass through the lens and usually doesn’t impair vision the way cataracts can. 

Cloudiness can also originate outside the lens. Corneal edema, scarring, inflammation, glaucoma, and other diseases can make the eye look blue, white, or hazy. A veterinarian or veterinary eye specialist can identify the responsible cause via magnification and illumination.

A cataract isn’t always just a vision problem. As cataracts progress, lens proteins can contribute to inflammation inside the eye, known as lens-induced uveitis. This inflammation requires medical management.

Lens disease can also lead to other complications. For instance, cataracts and chronic inflammation can lead to glaucoma and other changes. 

Continued veterinary monitoring remains important even after cataract surgery. Watch for new redness, squinting, tearing, cloudiness, pupil changes, or apparent discomfort. Have your pet reevaluated if the eye suddenly looks or feels different. 

A veterinary ophthalmologist can also determine how much a cataract affects vision and whether treatment is warranted. Signs in dogs can range from a visible white or cloudy area to difficulty navigating. At the same time, cataracts in cats often have different underlying causes than in dogs. Veterinarians describe cataracts in several ways, including their location within the lens, age of onset, suspected cause, and how much of the lens has become opaque. An incipient, or early-stage, cataract affects a relatively small portion of the lens, while hypermature cataracts, the most severe stage, can almost completely obscure vision. 

Progression rates vary by animal. Some cataracts stay small for long periods, while others advance more rapidly. That variability is one reason an early veterinary eye exam can help, even when your animal companion still seems to see well.

How Does a Veterinary Ophthalmologist Diagnose Cataracts?

Diagnosis begins with a complete ophthalmic examination of the eyelids, cornea, anterior chamber, iris, lens, and other visible structures. Pupillary responses and other measurements can also provide useful information about the health of the visual system. Ophthalmic testing can also include tear testing, corneal staining, and, when clinically indicated, intraocular pressure measurement.

Slit-lamp biomicroscopy allows detailed 3D examination of the lens. It is especially useful for identifying and characterizing cataracts. The veterinarian may dilate the pupils to better visualize the lens and, when possible, the retina behind it.

Dense cataracts can prevent direct retinal examination. If surgery is being considered, the veterinarian may recommend additional testing to determine whether the retina can support vision. The exact preoperative tests depend on the individual patient and examination findings.

When Is Cataract Surgery for Pets Considered?

Surgery is the definitive treatment for removing cataracts and restoring pets’ vision. Veterinary cataract surgery commonly uses phacoemulsification, a microsurgical technique that uses sound waves to break up the cloudy lens material. Veterinarians commonly implant an artificial intraocular lens to improve focusing after removing the cataract.

Not every pet with a cataract is a surgical candidate. We consider several factors, including the pet’s age and health, the degree of visual impairment, health of the retina and other ocular structures, inflammation, eye pressure, general health, ability to undergo anesthesia, whether other diseases could limit the expected visual result, and whether the family can complete the required postoperative care. Timing can also matter. Cataracts do not need to progress to complete blindness before a surgical consultation is appropriate. 

What Happens Before Cataract Surgery?

A preoperative evaluation determines whether the pet is a suitable candidate for surgery. Cataract surgery requires anesthesia and postoperative care and medication. The ophthalmologist performs a detailed examination and reviews your pet’s medical history. 

When the cataract prevents direct retinal examination, the ophthalmologist may recommend specialized diagnostic tests. Ocular ultrasound can provide information about structures behind an opaque lens, while electroretinography can assess retinal function in appropriate patients. These tests answer questions that cannot be resolved by looking through a dense cataract.

Your veterinary team will also discuss postoperative care, which may involve several eye medications, a protective collar, activity restrictions, and scheduled follow-up examinations. Understanding these responsibilities in advance helps families prepare for the intensive early recovery period.

What Is Recovery Like After Cataract Surgery?

Postoperative care is an important part of recovery. Your pet may receive several topical and oral medications to control inflammation, support healing, and manage other postoperative needs. 

A protective Elizabethan collar is typically needed to prevent rubbing or pawing at the eyes. Your pet’s activity may also be restricted temporarily while delicate tissues heal. Follow your veterinary ophthalmologist’s directions on exercise, bathing, grooming, play, and when normal activities can resume.

Recheck exams let the ophthalmologist monitor healing, inflammation, eye pressure, and vision. Medication schedules often change as recovery progresses, but contact the veterinary clinic promptly if anything seems off.

What If Cataract Surgery Is Not Performed?

Surgery is not the right path for every patient or family. A pet may have another ocular condition that limits the expected benefit or a medical issue that affects anesthesia planning. Also, sometimes cataracts just don’t cause meaningful visual impairment. We always address these issues case by case.

Pets with cataracts that aren’t removed may still need ongoing eye exams. Cataract-associated inflammation and complications can develop over time, even if your pet seems fine. Many dogs and cats can adapt by using memory, hearing, smell, and touch. Keeping furniture, food, water, litter boxes, and other important resources in predictable locations can make navigation easier. Veterinary follow-up remains important even when your animal companion adapts well to reduced sight.

When Should Cloudiness Receive Prompt Veterinary Attention?

Evaluate gradual lens changes, but some eye changes require more urgent attention. Sudden cloudiness with redness, severe squinting, an enlarged eye, trauma, or abrupt vision loss can indicate a painful or vision-threatening condition beyond a routine cataract. In those situations, prompt veterinary assessment is appropriate.

Cataracts can also form rapidly, particularly in dogs with diabetes. If your diabetic dog develops sudden white or cloudy lenses or appears to have difficulty seeing, contact your veterinarian or veterinary ophthalmologist. 

Do not use human eye drops or leftover veterinary eye medication to treat unexplained cloudiness. Similar-looking eye conditions can require very different treatments, and some medications can be harmful in the wrong situation. A current diagnosis should guide treatment.

PetMD wrote about cataracts in dogs. Medvet also has a helpful piece up on pet cataracts.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Cataracts

How can you tell if your pet has cataracts?

A cataract may appear as a white, gray, or cloudy area within the lens behind the pupil. As it progresses, your pet may hesitate on stairs, bump into objects, move cautiously in unfamiliar areas, or show other signs of reduced vision. Small cataracts may cause few noticeable changes.

Cloudiness alone cannot confirm a cataract because age-related nuclear sclerosis and diseases involving the cornea or other ocular structures can look similar. A veterinary eye exam can confirm a cataract, determine whether the lens is truly opaque, and assess how much it affects vision.

Are cloudy eyes in an older dog always cataracts?

No. Older dogs sometimes develop nuclear sclerosis, a normal age-related change that makes the eye look bluish or hazy. Nuclear sclerosis differs from a cataract and doesn’t block as much vision.

Other diseases can also make an eye look cloudy, including corneal disorders, inflammation, and glaucoma. Because these conditions have different implications and treatments, have new cloudiness examined rather than diagnosing it from appearance alone.

Are cataracts common in cats?

Cataracts occur in cats, but they are less common than in dogs. Feline cataracts frequently develop secondary to inflammation inside the eye, particularly anterior uveitis, rather than occurring as an isolated lens problem. Cataracts can also occur, especially in younger cats.

This difference makes a complete ocular examination especially important. The veterinarian needs to assess the eye for inflammation and other disease in addition to identifying the cataract. Treatment recommendations depend on the complete set of findings.

Can eye drops dissolve or reverse a pet’s cataracts?

No proven medical treatment can dissolve an established cataract and restore the lens to normal transparency. Surgery removes the lens when restoring vision is an appropriate goal. Veterinary ophthalmologists may still prescribe eye medications to manage inflammation or other ocular problems associated with cataracts.

Do not buy products that claim to reverse cataracts without discussing them with your veterinarian. A veterinary ophthalmologist can determine whether your pet actually has a cataract, whether vision is affected, and what treatment or monitoring plan is appropriate.

When should a pet see a veterinary ophthalmologist for cataracts?

A specialty evaluation is useful when a cataract is suspected, vision appears to be declining, the lens is changing rapidly, or you are considering cataract surgery. An early assessment lets the veterinary ophthalmologist examine the rest of the eye, identify inflammation or other complications, and discuss the pros and (if applicable) cons of surgery.

Cataract progression and surgical candidacy vary from animal to animal. A consultation can provide information about the current stage of disease and help you plan appropriate monitoring or treatment.

Contact a Boston, MA Vet About Cataracts in Dogs and Cats

Cataracts in dogs and cats can range from small lens changes that have little effect on sight to advanced opacities that substantially interfere with vision. Animal Eye Care of New England provides specialty veterinary ophthalmology for families in the Boston, MA area who need cataract evaluations, vision assessments, or treatment for other lens disorders. If you are searching for an eye vet near me, a veterinary ophthalmologist, a pet eye doctor, or a veterinary clinic for a cloudy eye, contact the clinic to schedule an appointment and learn what is affecting your animal companion’s vision.

This article is intended for general education about cataracts and does not replace an individualized veterinary eye examination. Consult your veterinarian or veterinary ophthalmologist about cloudiness, vision changes, or a known cataract, and seek prompt veterinary care if your pet develops sudden pain, redness, rapid eye changes, or abrupt vision loss.

If cataracts begin to interfere with your dog’s or cat’s vision, a veterinary ophthalmic evaluation can help determine the extent of the changes and the best next steps. Animal Eye Care of New England provides specialty eye care for pets across the greater New England area, including Boston, MA; Providence, RI; and Bridgeport, CT. Start on our Services page, then explore Diagnostics, Lens, Retina, and Glaucoma to learn more about cataracts and other conditions that can affect vision.