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Glaucoma is a condition of the eyes occurring in dogs
and cats much the same as in human beings. More
common in dogs, it appears glaucoma has an inheritable
tendency. Cocker Spaniels, Poodles, Beagles, are
a few breeds which can carry the trait for glaucoma.
Just what is glaucoma? Fluid inside the eye keeps
the round shape of the eyeball. This fluid is
constantly being produced inside the eye, as the older
fluid is drained from the eye. Thus a constant
pressure inside the eye is maintained. When the
pressure inside the eyeball becomes too high, the result
is glaucoma.
An increase in fluid pressure is almost always due
to blockage of the drainage port of the eye. If
this pressure is maintained at a high level for over
24 hours, vision may suffer. This is due to an
increase in pressure on the major nerve of the eyeball
called the optic nerve. The optic nerve sends
its information to the brain in order for vision to
occur. When too much pressure is exerted upon
the nerve, it loses its ability to function.
Early detection of glaucoma is therefore extremely
important in order for treatment to provide any chance
for vision to remain. Symptoms of a patient exhibiting
signs of glaucoma include: (1) Squinting of the
eyelids (2) Bulging appearance to the eye (3) Pawing
or rubbing at the eye (4) Painful behavior in regards
to the eye. Many patients sit quietly and appear
lethargic to the owner. Immediate attention must
be sought if glaucoma is present, to try and preserve
vision.
Determining the pressure of the eye is the first step.
Instruments to do so, are fairly accurate. Elevated
pressures inside the eyeball warrant immediate treatment
with medications applied topically to the eye,
as well as medication given orally. If pressures
can be lowered successfully within 24 hours of glaucoma
developing, than vision should be spared.
In cases when medications do not work, surgical intervention
is necessary. This type of procedure should be
performed by a specialist in ophthalmology. Your
veterinarian should be able to refer you to a specialist
in your area.
If glaucoma has persisted for a long time, and vision
is permanently lost, other surgical options and procedures
can be done to help alleviate the elevated pressures
in the eyeball, and the subsequent pain for the patient.
These procedures are considered last step, in that their
only goal is to achieve patient comfort, and not to
restore vision.
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