The so-called “blurred eye” is a common occurrence in dogs
Blurring of the eyes or blurred eye is a common occurrence in dogs, especially Labradors, Miniature Snouters, Cocker Spaniels, Poodles and Golden Retrievers. Cataract (cataract) is a clouding of the lens in the eye. Many people think that the fog that sometimes interferes with vision is located on the surface of the eye, but it is actually a disease deep inside the eyeball. Cataract surgery is the most common surgical treatment performed by people, usually after the age of 65. As many as 45% of visits to an eye specialist are related to eye cataracts. Both humans and animals have this health problem.
Statistics say that more than 17 million people in the world have some form of blindness due to this disease, and about 30,000 new cases are registered daily. Statistics in dogs related to this eye disease have not yet been recorded.
After a dog is 8 to 10 years old, a blurred eye problem can occur, veterinarians say.

The eye becomes blue or hazy. With age, the sight of dogs becomes increasingly blurred. The lens of the eye may turn white. The reasons for the formation of cataracts can be aging and various eye injuries and inflammatory conditions of the eyes. With injury or inflammation of the eyes – blurring can occur in one or both eyes while aging affects both eyes. Vision through the so-called green catarrhal looks like we are looking through a white colored glass.
At the beginning of cataracts, owners give dogs drops to slow the growth of cataracts, although the effect of this therapy is uncertain. If vision loss due to cataracts is present, the only treatment is surgical removal of the blurred lens. An examination of the dog and the whole eye with special emphasis on the state of vision on the retina (retinoscopy) is required before any surgery. If it is not preserved, then the operation is not performed because such a dog will not be able to regain sight with the operation.
Veterinarians say there are plenty of surgery techniques that are best performed until the cataract is mature and veterinarians actually determine the type of surgery and give advice to the owner. The operation was successful in 85-95% of cases. In those 10-15% of dogs, post-operative complications may occur (e.g., growth, increased intraocular pressure, blurred cornea, recurrence of cataracts, etc.). The dog should have good eyesight again a few days after surgery — if all is well. After 6 weeks, the healing is over and the postoperative therapy is canceled – the veterinarians explain. The technique of surgery has long been known because it is performed on humans. The cost of the equipment needed for the operation (optical microscope, phacoemulsifier, artificial lens, etc.) is extremely high, so the cost of surgery is high. Still, somewhere these surgeries of animal patients with cataracts are a routine in veterinary medicine as more and more patients (pets) have cataracts. By the way, veterinarians say that dogs with cataracts work well in a familiar environment because they rely more on their sense of smell. Dogs are most bothered by the sun, which the owner needs to know.