Glaucoma is an eye disease that affects both cats and humans. It causes a painful increase in pressure inside the eye and can lead to blindness. With early veterinary treatment, including eye drops to reduce pressure, cats can usually retain their vision and live easily with this disease.
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is an eye disease characterized by increased intraocular pressure due to impaired drainage of fluid in the eye. If the fluid, called aqueous humor, cannot drain properly, the pressure in the eye increases. Over time, this pressure can damage the eye. Glaucoma is a progressive disease, meaning it typically gets worse over time.
Symptoms of Glaucoma in Cats
Glaucoma may not be easy to detect in its early stages, so owners need to monitor their cats’ behavior for signs of eye discomfort. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of other eye diseases and should be examined by a veterinarian to determine the cause. Glaucoma can affect one or both eyes.
In addition to signs of eye discomfort, a cat’s behavior may change as the disease progresses, becoming less social or lethargic due to pain and vision problems. If vision is significantly impaired, the cat may appear clumsy, misjudge distances when jumping on or off surfaces, and bump into things – especially unfamiliar objects in the home environment.
Causes of Glaucoma
Glaucoma is categorized as either primary or secondary glaucoma. Primary glaucoma is congenital, meaning present from birth, and is rare in cats (although Burmese and Siamese cats appear to have a genetic predisposition to this form of the disease).
Secondary glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma in cats and can occur as a result of conditions that damage the eye or prevent proper drainage, such as:
Uveitis (inflammation inside the eye)
Anterior lens dislocation (displacement of the entire lens, blocking drainage)
Eye trauma
Advanced cataract
Tumor or similar or growth in the eye
Diagnosis of glaucoma in cats
Eye diseases can have various signs, so special eye tests are required to diagnose glaucoma in cats. Your veterinarian will first discuss your cat’s medical history and perform a physical examination.
When examining the eyes, your veterinarian may use a special lens to examine the structures in the eye for signs of glaucoma. If glaucoma is suspected, your veterinarian will want to check intraocular pressure with a tonometer. The instrument is placed directly above the surface of the eye and measures the pressure inside the eye. If the pressure is persistently elevated and other signs of glaucoma are present, your veterinarian will likely diagnose your cat with glaucoma.
In some cases, your veterinarian may refer you to a veterinary ophthalmologist for advice. These eye experts have advanced knowledge and specialized equipment that allow them to confirm a glaucoma diagnosis and recommend the most effective treatments.
Treatment of glaucoma in cats
Initial treatment for glaucoma generally involves the use of eye drops to reduce intraocular pressure and inflammation. Medications such as dorzolamide and timolol lower eye pressure.
Steroids can be used to relieve inflammation. Glaucoma can be difficult to treat. Therefore, expect to have follow-up visits with your veterinarian at regular intervals. Your veterinarian will monitor any eye changes and adjust medications as needed.
Surgery may be recommended for severe glaucoma and those that do not respond well to medical treatment. Sometimes laser surgery can correct the outflow of aqueous humor. In the case of blindness or a poorly treated illness that causes persistent pain, your veterinarian may recommend complete removal of the eye.
Prognosis for cats with glaucoma
There is no way to reverse the eye damage caused by glaucoma. Therefore, early detection is the best way to preserve vision and prevent extreme pain. Although glaucoma is generally a progressive disease, targeted treatment and management with regular veterinary examinations can help cats live relatively normal lives.
So marriedprevent glaucoma in cats
There is no absolute way to prevent glaucoma from occurring in cats. Because primary glaucoma is hereditary, it is important not to breed cats with primary glaucoma. Secondary glaucoma can be prevented if an eye disease is detected before it causes glaucoma. This is why routine veterinary exams (every year or more often) are so important. Your veterinarian may be able to detect eye changes before glaucoma begins or is in its early stages.
