Glaucoma is a painful condition caused by pressure within your pet's eye which can occur due to several underlying conditions. Our Los Angeles vets explain a few of the reasons why glaucoma can occur in your dog, and how primary and secondary glaucoma can be treated.
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a painful condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure within the eye, caused by inadequate fluid drainage. Glaucoma can progress very quickly, and often leads to the optical nerve and retinal damage in dogs. It is estimated that 40% of dogs will be left blind in the eye which is affected by glaucoma.
Glaucoma in dogs is caused by insufficient drainage of fluid from the eye. There are two types of glaucoma, each defined by the cause of the condition; primary glaucoma and secondary glaucoma.
What causes primary glaucoma in dogs?
Primary glaucoma occurs in dogs due to inherited abnormalities in the drainage mechanism of the pet's eye. Several breeds show an increased risk of primary glaucoma including (but not limited to) Boston terriers, cocker spaniels, Sharpei, Beagles, Basset Hounds, Siberian Huskies, Labrador Retrievers, Samoyed, Toy Poodles, and Great Danes. Each breed has its unique traits that make dogs of that breed more susceptible to developing glaucoma.
Primary glaucoma rarely affects both eyes equally or at the same time. The condition typically occurs in one eye months or even years before it affects the second eye.
What is the cause of secondary glaucoma in dogs?
Secondary glaucoma occurs as a result of an injury to the eye or disease. The most common causes include damage to the lens of the eye, inflammation of the interior of the eye, severe intraocular infections, anterior dislocation of the lens (blockage caused by the lens falling forward in the eye), tumors, and intraocular bleeding.
What are the signs and symptoms of glaucoma?
Dogs suffering from either primary or secondary glaucoma may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Watery discharge from the eye
- Eye pain (eye rubbing or turning away when being pet)
- Bulging of the eyeball (whites of the eye turn red)
- Cloudy, bluish appearance to the eye
- Dilated pupil – or pupil does not respond to light
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Swelling of the eye
- Less desire to play
- Vision loss
Chronic glaucoma can take some time to develop and begin causing symptoms, but acute glaucoma occurs very suddenly. If your dog exhibits any of the above symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately or go to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital for immediate care. Early diagnosis and treatment are your dog's best bet for successful treatment.
How is glaucoma in dogs diagnosed?
Your vet will measure the pressure within your dog's eye using an instrument called a tonometer.
If your dog is experiencing blindness due to glaucoma a veterinary ophthalmologist may use electroretinography to determine whether surgery can help to restore vision to the eye.
How is glaucoma in dogs treated?
Following diagnosis, your vet will prescribe drugs to help reduce pressure within the eye as quickly as possible. Reducing the pressure quickly may help to prevent permanent blindness in some dogs.
Typically, painkillers are also prescribed to help your dog feel more comfortable.
Other medications may be prescribed to both promote drainage and decrease fluid production as a way of reducing intraocular pressure.
In many cases, surgery for a dog's eye glaucoma will also be an essential part of the treatment. If your dog has permanently lost their vision, your vet may recommend surgery for the removal of the dog's eye glaucoma to relieve pain.
Regular eye examinations will be an essential part of your pet's ongoing care and treatment for glaucoma. Regular appointments allow your vet to monitor symptoms and keep the condition under control over the long term.
What is a veterinary ophthalmologist?
Working alongside your primary care veterinarian, our veterinary eye specialist provides care for all ocular diseases that can impact your dog. While some conditions may require surgery, many can be managed with medications alone.