Cloudy Eyes in Dogs: Cataracts or Normal Aging?

Cloudy Eyes in Dogs: Cataracts or Normal Aging? Symptoms, Treatment and Surgery

When an older dog’s eyes begin to look cloudy, gray or white, many owners wonder whether this is simply a normal sign of aging or whether their dog has developed cataracts.

Cloudy eyes can have several causes, including normal age-related changes of the lens, cataracts, corneal disease, inflammation inside the eye and glaucoma. Because these conditions require different approaches to treatment, an eye examination is important for determining the cause.

If your dog develops cloudy eyes together with bumping into objects, hesitation when using stairs, difficulty locating food or toys, eye redness, squinting or signs of eye pain, an ophthalmic examination should be considered.

Are Cloudy Eyes in an Older Dog Cataracts or Normal Aging?

One condition commonly mistaken for cataracts is nuclear sclerosis, also called lenticular sclerosis.

Nuclear sclerosis is an age-related change in the lens that commonly occurs in older dogs.

Cataracts and nuclear sclerosis can look similar from the outside. A photograph or visual inspection alone may not be enough to distinguish between them accurately.

What Causes Cloudy Eyes in Dogs?

Cloudy eyes do not always mean cataracts.

Possible causes include:

• Cataracts – loss of transparency of the lens, reducing the amount of light that reaches the retina

• Nuclear sclerosis – age-related changes within the lens

• Glaucoma – increased pressure inside the eye that may cause cloudiness, enlargement and pain

• Uveitis – inflammation inside the eye that may cause redness, discomfort and secondary lens changes

• Corneal disease – cloudiness affecting the clear surface at the front of the eye rather than the lens itself

Because each condition is treated differently, identifying the location and cause of the cloudiness is important.

What Are the Signs of Cataracts in Dogs?

Signs that may be associated with cataracts include:

• White, gray or cloudy appearance within the pupil

• Bumping into furniture or other objects

• Hesitation when going up or down stairs

• Reduced confidence in unfamiliar environments

• Difficulty locating food or toys

• Becoming startled when approached from the side

• Rapid development of cloudy eyes in dogs with diabetes

If your dog has redness, squinting, obvious eye pain, an enlarged eye or suddenly reduced vision, the eye should be evaluated promptly because inflammation or glaucoma may also be present.

What Are the Four Stages of Cataracts in Dogs?

Cataracts are commonly classified according to how much of the lens is affected.

The stage of a cataract is only one part of treatment planning.

Veterinarians will also evaluate retinal function, eye pressure, inflammation, other eye abnormalities and the pet’s overall health before determining whether surgery is appropriate.

Can Cataracts in Dogs Be Treated?

There are currently no proven eye drops or oral medications that can restore a cataractous lens to its original transparency.

When cataracts significantly affect vision and the eye is otherwise suitable for surgery, phacoemulsification, commonly called PHACO, is the primary surgical treatment used to remove the cloudy lens and potentially restore vision.

Medications may sometimes be prescribed to control inflammation or other complications, but they do not remove the cataract itself.

Does Every Dog With Cataracts Need Surgery?

No.

If a cataract is small, does not significantly interfere with vision or the dog has health conditions that make anesthesia unsuitable, the veterinarian may recommend monitoring the cataract and managing inflammation or other eye conditions when necessary.

However, when cataracts begin to interfere with vision, early evaluation can help determine whether surgery is appropriate before serious complications develop.

What Can Happen if Cataracts Are Not Treated Surgically?

Some cataracts may continue to progress and eventually cause severe vision loss.

Long-standing cataracts may also be associated with complications such as:

• Lens-induced inflammation inside the eye

• Glaucoma

• Lens instability or displacement

• Retinal detachment

• Chronic eye discomfort or pain

Even if surgery is not planned, regular monitoring is important for detecting complications.

What Tests Are Needed Before Cataract Surgery?

Before surgery, the veterinary ophthalmology team will evaluate whether removing the cataract is likely to improve vision and whether the pet is suitable for general anesthesia.

Tests may include:

Comprehensive Eye Examination

The veterinarian examines the cornea, lens, iris, anterior chamber and other structures to identify cataracts, inflammation or other eye diseases.

Intraocular Pressure Measurement

Eye pressure is measured to identify abnormalities and help screen for glaucoma.

Electroretinography (ERG)

ERG evaluates the electrical function of the retina.

This is important because cataract surgery may not restore vision if the retina is no longer functioning properly.

Ocular Ultrasound

When a dense cataract prevents direct examination of the back of the eye, ultrasound can help assess structures behind the lens.

General Health and Pre-Anesthetic Evaluation

Depending on the pet’s age and medical history, physical examination, blood testing and other evaluations may be recommended before anesthesia.

Dogs with diabetes should have their blood glucose and general medical condition appropriately controlled before surgery.

What Is PHACO Cataract Surgery?

Phacoemulsification, or PHACO, uses ultrasound energy to break the cloudy lens into very small pieces.

These pieces are then removed through a small surgical incision.

After the cataractous lens is removed, an intraocular lens (IOL) may be implanted when the anatomy and condition of the eye are suitable.

An artificial lens helps improve the eye’s ability to focus after removal of the natural lens.

Some pets may be candidates for surgery on both eyes during the same anesthetic procedure, while others may be better suited to surgery on only one eye.

The decision depends on the condition of each eye and the pet’s overall health.

How Much Does Dog Cataract Surgery Cost?

Cataract surgery packages at Thonglor Pet Hospital currently start at:

The package includes anesthesia and two nights of standard inpatient hospitalization according to applicable package terms.

Preoperative examinations and additional treatments are not included.

Actual costs may vary depending on test results, the number of eyes treated, the pet’s health and any additional treatment required.

What Is the Success Rate of Cataract Surgery in Dogs?

For appropriately selected dogs without significant complications, reported success rates for cataract surgery are approximately 80–90%.

Individual outcomes depend on several factors, including:

• Retinal function

• Stage and condition of the cataract

• Inflammation inside the eye

• Intraocular pressure

• Underlying medical conditions

• Suitability for anesthesia

• Postoperative medication and follow-up care

Cats require individual assessment because the causes of cataracts and associated eye diseases may differ from those seen in dogs.

How Soon Can a Dog See After Cataract Surgery?

Some dogs may begin showing a visual response within 24–48 hours after surgery.

However, this does not mean that the eye has completely healed.

During the following weeks, the veterinary team will continue to monitor inflammation, intraocular pressure, wound healing and visual function.

Owners will usually need to administer eye medications regularly, use a protective Elizabethan collar, restrict strenuous activity and return for follow-up examinations.

How Should a Dog Be Cared for After Cataract Surgery?

Postoperative instructions should be followed carefully.

Typical care may include:

• Keeping an Elizabethan collar on to prevent scratching or rubbing the eye

• Administering eye drops and medications exactly as prescribed

• Not reducing or stopping medication without veterinary guidance

• Restricting running, jumping and vigorous play

• Preventing water, shampoo and dirt from entering the eye

• Returning for follow-up examinations to monitor eye pressure and inflammation

Recovery time varies depending on the condition of the eye, the surgical procedure and whether complications develop.

What Symptoms After Cataract Surgery Require Attention?

Contact the hospital if you notice:

• Rapidly increasing redness or swelling

• Squinting, keeping the eye closed or signs of pain

• Increasing cloudiness of the cornea

• Abnormal enlargement of the eye

• Blood, pus or unusual discharge

• Sudden reduction in vision

• Persistent rubbing of the eye or removal of the protective collar