Cataract Treatment & Surgery for Pets

Utilizing State-of-the-Art Surgical Equipment for Cataract Removal

Cat & Dog Cataract Surgery in Virginia & The Carolinas

Cataracts can affect our pets just like they do humans, causing cloudiness in the lens of the eye and impacting their vision. At Animal Eye Care Associates, we are committed to providing the best care for your pet’s eye health.

At Animal Eye Care, we offer cataract removal surgery for pets in Virginia, North Carolina & South Carolina. Our board certified veterinary ophthalmologists are highly trained and bring over 25 years of experience to our practice; we rely on cutting-edge animal ophthalmology techniques and equipment in order to provide a high level of care.

Contact the location closest to you to learn more about cataract surgery in Virginia, South Carolina, and North Carolina for your pet!

Understanding Cataracts

A cataract occurs when the lens inside the eye becomes cloudy, reducing vision. There are three primary causes of cataracts: age-related changes, genetics or inherited conditions, and diabetes mellitus. Our experienced team can help identify the underlying cause and recommend the appropriate course of action.

Evaluating Suitability for Cataract Surgery

Before embarking on cataract surgery, our experienced veterinary ophthalmologists will conduct a thorough evaluation of your pet’s eye health. We ensure that cataract surgery is the appropriate choice and that your pet is a suitable candidate. If it’s determined that your pet is a good fit, we can move forward with scheduling the surgery.

Restoration of Vision

Cataract surgery for pets mirrors the procedure used for humans. Our skilled veterinary ophthalmologists use advanced tools and techniques, employing a phacoemulsifier to remove cloudy cataracts. This minimizes incision size, speeds up recovery, and reduces the risk of surgery-induced astigmatism. A plastic replacement lens is then inserted to restore normal focus. While cataract surgery in pets requires general anesthesia, the success rate for restoring near-normal vision is high.

The Surgical Journey

Prior to surgery, we perform testing to determine candidacy for surgery including an Electroretinogram, Ocular Ultrasound, and pre-anesthetic lab work. Pets arrive on the morning of surgery and return home at day’s end.

Post-Surgery Rechecks & Care

After cataract surgery, a series of rechecks are essential to monitor your pet’s progress. These evaluations are typically scheduled at intervals of one day, one week, three weeks, six weeks, ten weeks, 16 weeks, and about eight months post-surgery. Medical therapy adjustments are based on findings during these examinations.

At home, your pet’s care is equally important. Most pets require medications, primarily eye drops, 3-4 times a day during the initial weeks, with a gradual decrease over three months. Post-operative eye drops play a pivotal role in surgical success. While each patient’s needs vary, our team is here to guide you through the care process. Remember, for the first two weeks, no bathing, swimming, or rough play is recommended.

Over 90% Success Rate

The potential for near-normal vision after cataract surgery is typically in the upper 90%. However, as with any medical procedure, there are inherent risks and complications which may include inflammation, bleeding in the eye, high intraocular pressure, retinal detachment, and/or corneal ulcers

Choosing Animal Eye Care Associates for Your Pet's Cataract Surgery

Investment in Your Pet’s Vision Health

Cataract surgery is a valuable investment in your pet’s quality of life. Please note that these costs can vary based on your pet’s unique care requirements.

There are times when an unexpected medical need can lead to an unexpected expense. We offer CareCredit as a flexible financing option to ensure that every pet gets the care they need, and pet owners get the peace of mind they deserve.

At Animal Eye Care Associates, your pet’s safety, comfort, and vision health are our top priorities. Our experienced team is here to guide you through every step of the cataract surgery journey, ensuring the best possible outcome for your pet.

Download Our Cataracts Brochure

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are Cataracts?

Cataracts, or lenses that have become opaque, are a relatively common eye condition in cats and dogs. A healthy eye lens is a clear, gelatin-like structure resembling a flattened ball. It functions to focus images on the retina in the back of the eye, exactly the way a camera lens focuses images onto film. When the lens is no longer clear, it is termed a cataract.

Cataracts in animals are often inherited and develop in young to middle-aged pets. However, age-related cataracts associated can also occur, typically in animals 12 years of age or older. Diabetes mellitus is a very common cause of cataracts in dogs, as well.

Note that nearly all senior dogs (and many other senior animals) will experience a hardening of the lens, which will cause a grayish or cloudy appearance. This is known as nuclear sclerosis and is not a cataract. Nuclear sclerosis typically does not inhibit the animal’s vision in the way a cataract does. However, it is very difficult for the ordinary pet owner to tell the difference between nuclear sclerosis and cataracts; it’s best to have a professional veterinary ophthalmologist take a look at your pet to determine which condition he or she may have.

There is no way to fully reverse cataracts, though a proper diet can improve the overall condition of nutritional cataracts. The only way to correct cataracts in animals is to have them surgically removed. However, not all pets with cataracts need cataract surgery.

Your veterinarian can help you determine if your pet is a good candidate for cataract surgery. This may include looking at factors such as:

  • How significantly the cataracts are affecting your pet’s vision
  • If your pet is at risk of developing other eye conditions, such as retinal detachment or glaucoma
  • The age of your dog or cat
  • The overall health and well-being of your dog or cat

In the majority of cases, animal cataract surgery is elective. It can dramatically affect the quality of your pet’s life, but it is not a life-saving surgery as cataracts are not life-threatening. That being said, cataract surgery can provide your dog or cat with a new lease on life.

  • To learn more about Cataract Surgery check out this video.
Not all pets with cataracts are ideal candidates for surgery. During a comprehensive pre-surgical evaluation, our ophthalmologists will assess your pet’s overall health, the severity of cataracts, and any underlying eye conditions. They will discuss the risks and benefits of surgery in detail to help you make the best decision for your pet.
Following surgery, your pet will need to wear an Elizabethan collar (cone) to prevent them from rubbing or scratching at their eye. They will also be prescribed medication to aid healing and prevent infection. Several follow-up appointments are crucial to monitor your pet’s progress and ensure proper recovery.
Utilizing State-of-the-Art Surgical Equipment for Cataract Removal

Cat & Dog Cataract Surgery in Virginia & The Carolinas

At Animal Eye Care, we offer cataract removal surgery for pets in Virginia, North Carolina & South Carolina. Our board certified veterinary ophthalmologists are highly trained and bring over 25 years of experience to our practice; we rely on cutting-edge animal ophthalmology techniques and equipment in order to provide a high level of care.

Contact the location closest to you to learn more about cataract surgery in Virginia, South Carolina, and North Carolina for your pet!

What Are Cataracts?

Cataracts, or lenses that have become opaque, are a relatively common eye condition in cats and dogs. A healthy eye lens is a clear, gelatin-like structure resembling a flattened ball. It functions to focus images on the retina in the back of the eye, exactly the way a camera lens focuses images onto film. When the lens is no longer clear, it is termed a cataract.

Cataracts in animals are often inherited and develop in young to middle-aged pets. However, age-related cataracts associated can also occur, typically in animals 12 years of age or older. Diabetes mellitus is a very common cause of cataracts in dogs, as well.

Note that nearly all senior dogs (and many other senior animals) will experience a hardening of the lens, which will cause a grayish or cloudy appearance. This is known as nuclear sclerosis and is not a cataract. Nuclear sclerosis typically does not inhibit the animal’s vision in the way a cataract does. However, it is very difficult for the ordinary pet owner to tell the difference between nuclear sclerosis and cataracts; it’s best to have a professional veterinary ophthalmologist take a look at your pet to determine which condition he or she may have.

When Is Animal Cataract Surgery Needed?

There is no way to fully reverse cataracts, though a proper diet can improve the overall condition of nutritional cataracts. The only way to correct cataracts in animals is to have them surgically removed. However, not all pets with cataracts need cataract surgery.

Your veterinarian can help you determine if your pet is a good candidate for cataract surgery. This may include looking at factors such as:

  • How significantly the cataracts are affecting your pet’s vision
  • If your pet is at risk of developing other eye conditions, such as retinal detachment or glaucoma
  • The age of your dog or cat
  • The overall health and well-being of your dog or cat

Is Animal Cataract Surgery Elective?

In the majority of cases, animal cataract surgery is elective. It can dramatically affect the quality of your pet’s life, but it is not a life-saving surgery as cataracts are not life-threatening. That being said, cataract surgery can provide your dog or cat with a new lease on life.

  • To learn more about Cataract Surgery check out this video.

Choosing Animal Eye Care Associates for Your Pet's Cataract Surgery

At Animal Eye Care Associates, we understand the importance of your pet’s vision. Our team of experienced ophthalmologists utilizes state-of-the-art equipment and surgical techniques to provide the highest level of care. We are committed to offering compassionate and personalized service throughout the entire cataract surgery process.

Contact a location near you to learn more about our Virginia, South Carolina, and North Carolina animal cataract surgery services.