It is then focused by the lens onto the retina. Light first enters the eye through the cornea. The eye is a very precise organ.
While dogs may certainly develop cataracts they much more commonly develop a condition called nuclear sclerosis sometimes called lenticlular sclerosis. Cataract formation and cataract surgery in people and dogs have many similarities but dogs experience more postoperative anterior uveitis. Cataracts are an opacity of the lens or its capsule and should be differentiated from the minor lens imperfections in young dogs seen on slit lamp biomicroscopy and the normal increase in nuclear density nuclear sclerosis that occurs in older animals.
On the other hand a cataract will block the view of the retina either completely or in part depending on how big it is. When a dog has lenticular sclerosis a vet can still see all the way back to the retina thorough the ophthalmoscope even if things are a little bit fuzzy. And while cataracts are a relatively common symptom in aging dogs and cats nuclear sclerosis is even more prevalent.
Many owners of older pets assume the problem is cataracts. Nuclear sclerosis which is also called lenticular sclerosis is a condition that causes the pupils of the eyes to take on a cloudy bluish gray appearance. There is no specific treatment for lenticular sclerosis nor is treatment necessary.
While the exact mechanism is poorly understood it appears that the lens gradually becomes harder with age. Vision does not appear to be significantly affected. Lenticular sclerosis is the term for a bluish transparent haze that develops in the lens of the eye in middle aged to senior dogs.
In ambient light a sclerotic lens has an even pearly opacity with a grayish to bluish tinge. The lens of an eye with cataracts or nuclear sclerosis appears cloudy. A young dog s normal lens is clear but exhibits a greenish shine when illuminated.
Cataract cloudy or old dog cloudy.
Canine nuclear sclerosis vs cataract. Cataracts in companion animals nuclear sclerosis is a very common eye defect in older animals and is commonly mistaken for cataracts in companion animals. Nuclear sclerosis results in a cloudy appearance to the lens of the eye but is less harmful than cataracts because it does not greatly affect the vision of your pet. Cataracts vs nuclear sclerosis in dogs. Nuclear sclerosis and cataracts are two very different conditions but to the untrained eye they can appear quite similar.
Nuclear sclerosis does not usually affect vision or damage the eye significantly. Cataracts on the other hand can cause significant vision changes and other serious symptoms. Nuclear sclerosis vs cataracts in dogs. The good news for owners of senior dogs is that nuclear sclerosis is not the same thing as cataracts.
What s the difference between these two eye conditions. As we ve seen nuclear sclerosis in dogs is a hardening of the eye s lens. Nuclear sclerosis can be noticed in dogs as young as six years of age. Breeds more prone to cataracts nuclear sclerosis.
Some breeds are predisposed to cataracts so a vet will need to determine whether your dog is suffering from one or the other. Predisposed breeds include german shepherds labs and beagles.
Predisposed breeds include german shepherds labs and beagles. Some breeds are predisposed to cataracts so a vet will need to determine whether your dog is suffering from one or the other. Breeds more prone to cataracts nuclear sclerosis.
Nuclear sclerosis can be noticed in dogs as young as six years of age. As we ve seen nuclear sclerosis in dogs is a hardening of the eye s lens. What s the difference between these two eye conditions.
The good news for owners of senior dogs is that nuclear sclerosis is not the same thing as cataracts. Nuclear sclerosis vs cataracts in dogs. Cataracts on the other hand can cause significant vision changes and other serious symptoms.
Nuclear sclerosis does not usually affect vision or damage the eye significantly. Nuclear sclerosis and cataracts are two very different conditions but to the untrained eye they can appear quite similar. Cataracts vs nuclear sclerosis in dogs.
Nuclear sclerosis results in a cloudy appearance to the lens of the eye but is less harmful than cataracts because it does not greatly affect the vision of your pet. Cataracts in companion animals nuclear sclerosis is a very common eye defect in older animals and is commonly mistaken for cataracts in companion animals.
