Pet Cataracts in Rocklin, CA
Cataracts can significantly affect a pet’s vision, confidence, and quality of life—especially when they progress quickly or lead to painful inflammation inside the eye. Animal Eye Center provides specialty veterinary ophthalmology care for pets with cataracts, including comprehensive cataract evaluations, medical management to reduce inflammation and complications, and surgical treatment options when appropriate.
Serving Rocklin and Northern California
Animal Eye Center is based in Rocklin, CA, and we welcome patients from the greater Sacramento area and Northern California, including nearby communities such as Roseville, Granite Bay, Lincoln, Loomis, Folsom, Citrus Heights, Auburn, Placerville/El Dorado County, and Chico.
What Are Cataracts?
Cataracts are cloudings of the lens in one or both eyes that can cause vision impairment or vision loss. Cataracts are often associated with diabetes and uveitis (inflammation inside the eye), but they may also develop due to genetics, trauma, or age-related changes.
In some cases, cataracts progress slowly and do not immediately interfere with daily life. In other cases—particularly diabetic cataracts—they can advance rapidly and trigger significant inflammation that may lead to secondary complications such as glaucoma. A veterinary ophthalmology exam helps determine what type of cataract is present, whether the eye is comfortable, and what treatment path is most appropriate.
If your pet’s eye looks cloudy, appears red or painful, or you’ve noticed changes in vision (hesitating on stairs, bumping into objects, trouble in dim light), we encourage you to call. Early evaluation can help protect comfort and improve long-term outcomes.
Signs Your Pet May Have Cataracts
Common signs owners notice include:
- A cloudy, white, or bluish haze in the eye
- Hesitating on stairs or in dim lighting
- Bumping into objects or seeming “less confident” moving around
- Difficulty catching treats or toys
- Redness, tearing, or squinting (which may indicate inflammation or pain)
- Sudden changes in vision, especially in diabetic pets
If your pet’s eyes are cloudy and also look red or irritated, call promptly. Cataracts can cause inflammation that needs to be treated regardless of whether surgery is pursued.
Can Cataracts Be Treated Without Surgery?
At this time, there is no medical treatment that can slow or prevent cataract formation. However, cataracts can cause inflammation inside the eye, and treatment with anti-inflammatory medication may be recommended to:
- Improve comfort
- Reduce inflammation
- Help prevent secondary complications such as glaucoma
- Support the best possible outcome if surgery is being considered
Surgical removal is the only treatment that can restore vision when cataracts are the cause of vision loss. Even when surgery is not planned, medical management may still be important for maintaining comfort and protecting eye health.
Is my pet a candidate for cataract surgery?
How is cataract surgery performed and what is the aftercare?
Cataracts are removed in most cases by phacoemulsification surgery. This involves the ultrasonic breakdown of the lens material and its aspiration out of the eye. If the lens capsule is stable, an intraocular lens (IOL) will be implanted in the eye to improve immediate post-operative and near vision. The decision to insert an IOL is at the discretion of the surgeon. The surgery is performed with the patient positioned under an operating microscope using delicate instruments and state-of-the-art phacoemulsification equipment. The patients are monitored closely under anesthesia by a veterinary technician. The surgery takes 60 to 90 minutes per eye. Patients go home on the day of surgery and are re-evaluated the next morning. They will wear an Elizabethan collar for 10 to 14 days to prevent them from rubbing or bumping their eyes. Patients require medication with eye drops four to six times daily as well as oral medications once to twice daily. Frequent re-examinations are required for the first three weeks, then every three months for the first year, followed by yearly rechecks. Strict patient compliance concerning post-operative therapy and re-examination is imperative for the long-term maintenance of vision. Cataract removal surgery is a highly successful procedure. However, complications, including retinal detachment, chronic inflammation, glaucoma, intraocular bleeding, and vision loss, can occur.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a cloudy eye always mean cataracts?
Not always. Cloudiness can be caused by cataracts, corneal disease, inflammation, glaucoma, or other conditions. A veterinary ophthalmology exam is the best way to confirm the cause.
Should I bring anything to my appointment?
Bring any eye medications your pet is using (or has used recently), and any medical records or referral notes related to the eye concern.
Do you treat cataracts medically if surgery isn’t planned?
Yes. While medications cannot reverse cataracts, they may be recommended to manage inflammation and keep your pet comfortable.
How quickly can diabetic cataracts progress?
They can progress rapidly. If your pet has diabetes, an ophthalmic exam is recommended promptly to establish a baseline and monitor for early cataract changes.