My RB dog, Bear, had cataracts from being diabetic. I waited too long to see a veterinary opthamologist so he couldn't have them removed. The surgery costs about $1200.00 per eye, or about $2000.00 for both. The dog can see immediately after the operation, but there are some risks. Drops have to be administered several times a day for the first month, tapering off to once a day for life. If the dog is young and the doctor says it's a good candidate and the money is available.............go for it.

Bear got along very well for six years or more. He still used the doggy door, ran in the yard, jumped onto the couch, enjoyed going to the off-leash park and played with the other dogs. I learned not to move the furniture and keep things off the floor.
He was 14 when he died of a heart attack in February.

Some commands to teach the dog now (before totally blind) would be "up" and "down" for steps, "slow", "stop", "wait", "right", and "left".

Bear got very good at 'feeling' where the walls were.

Mary