A cataract is defined as an abnormal breakdown in the normal lamellar
arrangement of the lens fibers, resulting in a loss of transparency
of the crystalline lens. Cataracts can be classified in various
ways, such as age of onset (ie. juvenile, congenital), location
(Le. cortical nuclear), cause (ie. inherited, metabolic), and degree
of maturation (ie. immature, mature).
Initially, when a client is considering cataract surgery for their
pet, a comprehensive ophthalmic examination is necessary to rule
out any other hereditary or clinical ophthalmic disease. Your general
veterinarian can facilitate the referral process.
Once the initial ophthalmic examination is done, a complete physical
examination, hemogram, and urinalysis is mandatory to determine
the general physical health of the patient. Since cataract surgery
is considered to be elective surgery, and many of our patients
are geriatric, the pet must be in the best physical health possible,
otherwise, surgery will not be recommended. Also, if the retina
cannot be visualized, a preoperative electroretinogram (ERG) is
necessary to determine retinal function.
There are various other components of cataract surgery, including
preoperative medications, anesthesia, fluid therapy, postoperative
medications, and reevaluations. The protocol for each patient will
be discussed in detail with the client prior to surgery.
The surgical procedure of choice is phacoemulsification, which
utilizes ultrasound to disrupt the lens material into small particles,
facilitating removal from the eye. Utilization of a small corneal
incision, along with phacoemulsification results in minimal tissue
trauma. Subsequently, the patient is more comfortable and the recovery
time postsurgically is minimized.
Hopefully, this article will highlight some of the more commonly
asked questions about cataract surgery and related services
from my office. There is a high success rate with this procedure
(85-90%), so we are able to help many patients back to
a "world of vision."
If there are any other questions, please do not hesitate
to call (404) 299-0678.
