Ophthalmology Services

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the increased of pressure within the globe. This increased pressure causes changes to the structures within the eye, especially the retina, which will result in the loss of vision. Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in dogs.

What are the signs of Glaucoma?

The increase in intraocular pressure is very painful. Signs of ocular pain include squinting, rubbing, lethargy, depression, and aggression. Other symptoms associated with glaucoma include redness, cloudiness, enlarged globe, and blindness.

What causes Glaucoma?

The most common cause of glaucoma in the dog is genetic. Many breeds and, even mixed breeds, have been found to have a form of genetic glaucoma. The breeds with the highest incidence of cataracts include Boston Terriers, Miniature Poodles, American Cocker Spaniels, Bassett Hounds, Samoyeds, Chows, and Shar Pei.

Other causes of glaucoma include intraocular inflammation, lens luxation, cataracts, retinal detachment, and trauma.

What is the treatment for glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a very difficult disease to treat in dogs. It is essential to lower the intraocular pressure to relieve the pain and preserve vision. Treatment options include medical therapy, surgery, and salvage procedures. The best treatment option depends on many factors including the amount of damage the eye has sustained and the potential for vision.

Medical treatment is an important element for treating glaucoma but is not very effective if used on its own. Medical treatment alone on an eye in early glaucoma is not effective in controlling intraocular pressure over the long term or preserving vision. Most medications for the treatment of glaucoma come in the form of drops.

Surgical treatments, when coupled with medical therapy, have been shown to the most effective in controlling intraocular pressure and extending vision. Surgical procedures include application of laser energy to certain portions of the globe to decrease the production of fluid within the eye and placement of drainage shunts to control the release of fluid within the eye. However, surgical management is usually only indicated if vision or good potential of vision is present.

A blind, painful eye that is in the latter stages of glaucoma is usually a candidate for a salvage procedure. This includes enucleation (complete removal of the globe) or other procedures that are functionally similar to an enucleation, but give the appearance of a globe (an evisceration).