Evaluation of Canine Cataract Surgery Outcomes at Ibadan Animal Care Clinic

Cataracts in dogs constitute a significant source of visual impairment and reduced quality of life, and phacoemulsification has emerged as the gold standard surgical treatment globally. This study evaluates the clinical outcomes of cataract surgery performed in dogs at the Ibadan Animal Care Clinic in Oyo State, South West Nigeria, between January 2022 and December 2023. Thirty-one eyes in 24 dogs undergoing cataract surgery were prospectively followed for a minimum of 90 days postoperatively. Preoperative ophthalmic evaluation included slit-lamp biomicroscopy, electroretinography where available, and B-mode ocular ultrasonography. Surgical procedures performed included extracapsular lens extraction and phacoemulsification. Visual restoration, defined as navigational vision in a structured obstacle course, was achieved in 77% of operated eyes at 90 days postoperatively. Intraoperative complications included posterior capsule rupture in 13% of eyes. Postoperative complications including anterior uveitis, corneal edema, and posterior capsule opacification were recorded and managed. Diabetic cataracts showed lower surgical success rates than inherited cataracts. The study concludes that cataract surgery in dogs is clinically viable and technically achievable in a Nigerian veterinary setting with appropriately trained surgeons and equipment. Expanding canine ophthalmic surgical services in South West Nigeria will meaningfully improve quality of life for affected companion animals. Keywords: canine cataract, phacoemulsification, ophthalmic surgery, Ibadan, lens extraction.