Cataracts and thickened lenses are two different eye conditions in dogs that can be easily confused. It is important to have a veterinary ophthalmologist diagnose your dog's condition for the correct treatment.
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Definitions
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A cataract is a loss of transparency found in the lens of the dog's eye. Thickened lenses, also known as nuclear sclerosis, is the thickening and hardening of the dog's lens.
Appearance
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Cataracts typically cause the dog's eye to assume a bluish, grayish or whitish color change inside of the eye. Thickened lenses produce similar symptoms with the eye assuming a grayish-blue haze.
Cause
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Thickened lenses are a normal part of aging. Cataracts in dogs may be hereditary or caused by diabetes, trauma, ocular diseases, nutritional disorders or aging. Thickening of the lens is a normal occurrence found in all aging dogs.
Warning
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Cataracts, when left untreated, cause varying levels of visual impairment and can lead to blindness. The thickening of the lens, on the other hand, does not significantly impair vision until the last stages of the dog's life.
Treatment
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Cataracts must be removed surgically. Cataracts cannot be reversed or shrunk; surgical removal is required in most cases. Thickened lenses, on the other hand, do not require treatment.
Consideration
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It is important to keep in mind that some senior dogs may develop both cataracts and thickened lenses at the same time.
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