Tratamento de catarata em cães (revisão de literatura).

Abstract

Phacoemulsification is the most widely used surgical technique for cataract removal. It aims the animal vision restoration with the smallest possible complication. The cataract is characterized by the opacity of lens, preventing or reducing the passage of light to the retina, therefore reducing the capacity of vision which can lead the animal to blindness. It is a very common pathology in dogs and the reason for that can be explained by many factors, such as: heredity, diabetes, inflammation or intoxication. The emerging of cataract can be fast or slow, with a faster evolution in some dogs, such as in diabetic cases, and it is mainly classified by both age of appearance in the animal and maturity degree. Surgery is the only treatment and only the animals which are considered able must be submitted to the procedure. The chance of

a successful surgery varies between 90% and 95%, but it will depend on a good post- operative care, to avoid possible inflammation, as well as the owner’s collaboration and

commitment with the animal. The procedure should be performed by an ophthalmologist veterinarian, once it is necessary specific expertise due to its degree of complexity and possible complication.