You are the profession. Have your say.™

There are various forms of glaucoma that can affect our pets, and the most common forms in pets are not the same as the human form of the disease. However, just like in people, glaucoma in pets result in increased pressure inside the affected eye.

The pressure inside a normal eye

The eye ball is a fibrous structure that maintains its spherical shape by a very well controlled mechanism of fluid production and circulation inside the eye. In order to maintain a steady pressure and normal shape, the fluid produced inside the eye must also drain out of the eye at exactly the same rate at which it is produced.

The fluid, or aqueous humor as it is known, is produced by a structure inside the eye called the ciliary body. From here it circulates through the pupil into the front part of the eye, and then drains into a specialised network of openings located at the point where the transparent front of the eye, the cornea, meets the white of the eye, the sclera.

The situation in an eye affected with glaucoma

For the eye to function normally, the rate at which the fluid is produced, must be matched by the rate at which fluid drains out of the eye. Think of it like a tap that is dripping water into a basin at the same rate at which the water is draining out of the plug. If the plug gets blocked up, more water will come into the basin than water draining out. Eventually the basin overflows.

Because the eye is a closed structure, fluid cannot overflow and as a result pressure builds up. It is this rise in pressure that is responsible for the pain experienced by animals (and people) with glaucoma.

What causes glaucoma?

There are many causes for glaucoma, but they all result in:

• Decreased drainage of fluid from the eye
• Never excessive production of fluid

Some dogs are genetically predisposed to glaucoma:

The structure of the eye is abnormal and prevents proper drainage of the fluid. Although born with the abnormality, the disease will often only become apparent in middle to old age.

Affected breeds include:

• American Cocker Spaniels
• Chows
• Basset hounds
• Shar Peis
• Arctic breeds such as the Husky

In most other animals, glaucoma develops as a result of some other disease or problem in the eye:

• Infection
• Inflammation
• Loose lens

What are the symptoms of glaucoma?

Well the high pressure in the eye will cause a few things to happen:

• Painful eye
• Redness
• Cloudy cornea and enlarged globe

It is important to note that other diseases can also cause these clinical signs, and it is therefore very important to take your dog to a vet as soon as possible so that they can measure the pressure inside the eye to determine if it is glaucoma or not. Either way, a red painful eye needs treatment.

It is important to seek treatment from your vet immediately if you suspect that your pet may have glaucoma, because it can cause blindness quite rapidly if not treated immediately.

How is glaucoma treated?

There are various drugs and surgical treatment options to try and control glaucoma.

They all work by either reducing the amount of fluid produced by the eye, or improving the outflow of fluid from the eye.

Posted by Vetstoria.com, 12 months ago