Comparative Study on Phacoemulsification Techniques and Intraocular Lens Implantation in Dogs with Cataract

Cataracts are one of the leading causes of vision loss in dogs, significantly impairing their quality of life and visual behavior. Phacoemulsification, followed by intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, is currently the gold standard for visual rehabilitation. This non-randomized clinical study included 60 dogs (120 eyes)of various breeds, ages, and sizes, diagnosed with cataracts of different etiologies and degrees of evolution (incipient, mature, hypermature, and intumescent). Postoperative visual function was assessed using conventional neuro-ophthalmologic tests (menace response, cotton ball test, maze navigation) and a custom-designed visual scoring scale developed by the authors to objectively quantify functional recovery. The bimanual technique (Phaco 2) showed slightly shorter surgical times than the monomanual approach (Phaco 1), with significant differences during the capsulorhexis (T1) and IOL implantation (T4) phases (p < 0.05). Postoperative inflammation was mild and transient, with no IOL decentration or posterior capsule opacification observed over 60 days. Visual function improved progressively, with 79.2% (95/120 eyes) reaching functional vision by two months and mean recovery exceeding 90%of normal by day 30. Both techniques provided favorable short-term outcomes for canine cataract extraction, with outcomes mainly influenced by cataract type and lens consistency. The proposed visual scoring system represents a preliminary clinical tool that may support standardized evaluation of postoperative vision in dogs. The results highlight the importance of ongoing refinement in surgical training and the standardization of phacoemulsification protocols to improve reproducibility and long-term outcomes in veterinary ophthalmology.