Mature Cataract - Immature Cataract
Like a camera, eyes have a clear lens inside them that is used for focusing. A cataract is any opacity within a lens. The opacity can be very small (incipient cataract) and not interfere with vision. It can involve more of the lens (immature cataract) and cause blurred vision. Eventually, the entire lens can become cloudy, and all functional vision lost. This is called a mature cataract.
Most cataracts in dogs are inherited. The cataract may develop rapidly over weeks, or slowly over years, in one or both eyes. Like humans, dogs also develop cataracts with age (often after 8 years of life). Cataracts can also develop in dogs with diabetes mellitus or in orphan puppies on an artificial milk replacer diet.
Yearly CERF examinations are an important tool in diagnosing this condition. Proper treatment can be hastened by early diagnosis.
