Eye Surgery in Animals and Pets

Despite the apparent laugh-worthiness of a pet undergoing eye surgery, such procedures are actually relatively commonplace in the animal world, from canines to felines and beyond.

To squash any rumours to start, however, animals do not undergo eye surgery to treat refractive errors in the same way that humans do who undergo LASIK or other procedures. Just as cats and dogs don’t sport glasses or contact lenses, they are similarly not candidates for procedures that simply clarify blurry vision.

Instead, eye surgery for pets targets a number of problems that severely limit or reduce vision, such as cataracts. Just like in humans, cataracts cloud the lens of the eye, compromising vision and eventually causing blindness as they develop. As in humans, cataracts can develop for a number of reasons in animals. The majority occur with age, but diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, and trauma can also be causes. The procedure is also the same as it is in humans, though performed by a veterinary ophthalmologist!

Cherry eye, most commonly found in dogs though also occurring in cats, is another eye condition that typically necessitates the animal undergoing eye surgery. Cherry eye occurs when a gland called the nictitating membrane collapses, and becomes visible as a red mass in the inner corner of the eye. In the past, surgery involved removing the glad entirely, while modern techniques typically involve repositioning the gland back to its normal position.

Surgery is also often, though not always, used to treat glaucoma in animals. Glaucoma is a disease where the optic nerve is damaged, leading to progressive and irreversible loss in vision, and often accompanied by increased intraocular pressure. Glaucoma can be particularly dangerous in pets, as it often goes unnoticed for a long period of time, so it is important to be vigilant and look out for eyes that are red, swollen, appear sore, or are clouded in appearance. To treat glaucoma in animals, laser surgery can be performed to selectively destroy tissue and reduce fluid production. If the glaucoma is particularly far progressed, enucleation – or eyeball removal – may be performed instead, with the eye sewn shut afterwards. There are also a number of other treatment options available involving various removals and implants.

Just as with humans, there are a plethora of eye diseases that animals may suffer from. Some, like those listed above, can be treated surgically, though many others have alternative treatments. Just as you are hopefully vigilant about any changes or symptoms that appear in your own eyes, it is important to be similarly vigilant to pay attention to your pet’s eyes, and consult a veterinarian immediately if you suspect they may be suffering from an eye disease.

One thing to keep in mind with pets and eye surgery is that while medical insurance often covers most or all of the cost of these procedures in humans, this coverage does not extend to animals, thus the procedures can be quite a hit for the owner’s pocketbook! Pet health insurance may provide coverage, but this is not always the case, so it is best to check with your insurance provider if you are unsure. The other downside for pets, such as dogs, instead of humans, is that recovery often includes wearing a cone-shaped collar to prevent self-trauma – the same your dog would have hat to wear after being spayed or neutered.