Clinical value of microsurgical cataract surgery in dogs by cryoextraction method.

The results of 64 operations of cataract in dogs applying the operating microscope are presented in the paper. The dogs were divided into 4 groups according to the type of cataract: senile, symptomatic, diabetic and toxic. The lenses were removed with a ++cryo-extractor , Dexon and Vicryl were used for suturing. The evaluation of dogs' ability to see after cataract surgery was made on the basis of clinical examinations of vision, ophthalmoscopy and clinical tests. The results of microsurgical cryoextraction in dogs were positive as far as senile and symptomatic cataracts were concerned. No positive results were obtained in the case of diabetic cataract because of existing retinopathy and in toxic cataract where retinal atrophy caused by intoxication occurred. Cataract surgery does not lead to a complete return of vision since the eye is aphakic and hypermetropic. However, it permits the dog to use its sense of vision for orientation in the environment.