I called Dr. Yakely for more information. Dr. Yakely said congenital eye defects are often overlooked until it is too late. Many breeds of dogs have an increased incidence of eye birth defects and these dogs should not be used for breeding, and may not be good hunting dogs. Some of the problems can be managed so that they never cause any significant pain or vision impairment if they are detected and treatment is begun early. Your veterinarian can tell you what types of eye problems your particular breed may be susceptible to.
Cataracts are common in dogs.
A cataract may be congenital, and detectable early in life. These may or may not cause problems. Cataracts that develop later in life may be primary, or they may have some underlying cause. With special equipment, a trained ophthalmologist can examine the eyes and determine whether a cataract needs treatment, and whether surgically removal would benefit the dog. That includes about 4 months of follow-up exams and care.