A newer treatment is now available that attacks the disease at its source, the tear gland. It is effective in those cases where the tear gland has not been completely destroyed. The lens is also frequently involved in disease processes. Cataracts are defined as opacities of the normally crystal clear lens. Most cataracts are hereditary in nature, they can also be caused by diabetes or occur spontaneously in older patients.
Cataracts appear as gray to white areas in the lens.
Surgical removal of the cataract is the only effective treatment. This is usually done by a veterinary ophthalmologist on a referral basis. The surgery is highly effective in most patients. Cataracts must not be confused with sclerosis of the lens. Lenticular sclerosis is a normal age-related change in the canine eye.