GLAUCOMA
Glaucoma means increased intra-ocular pressure which eventually leads to blindness. The cause of glaucoma could be malformed drainage angle in the eye, uncontrolled intraocular inflammation, dislocated lens or intraocular neoplasia.
All the above possibilities need to be carefully assessed while the patient is being treated. In case of acute glaucoma, return of vision is a strong possibility if it is caught early enough. If the pressure inside the eye remains high for more then 72 hours, the chances of return of vision are usually very little.
Symptoms
- Pain: squinting, unusually quiet, excessive sleeping
- Red eye
- Blue or white cornea
- Dilated pupil
- Blindness +/-
Chronic or long standing uncontrolled glaucoma usually leads to expansion of the globe which is called as buphthalmos. At this stage the animal is usually blind. Glaucoma can be managed with different medications in order to keep the intraocular pressure under control. In end stage glaucoma the pressure sometimes is nonresponsive to the medications, in such cases, surgical options are available with an intent to reduce pain.
Eg.
1. Enucleation removal of the affected eyeball
2. Intrascleral prosthesis removal of internal contents of the eyeball and insertion of a silicon prosthesis inside the external shell of the eyeball. This procedure gives a good aesthetic appearance after the surgery.
3. Injection of gentamicin inside the eye to stop the production of fluid within the eye to reduce the intra ocular pressure. Usually after the injection, the eyeball shrinks over the period of a few months.
It is also important to know that if you’re dog or cat loses vision in both eyes from glaucoma, that it is extremely likely that they will adjust very well to there vision loss, as long as the IOPs are controlled so they do not have a headache and they are comfortable. Remember–glaucoma causes a migraine headache-like pain, and you’re pet will NOT tell you that it has a headache. Take care of the discomfort in order to give you’re pet the best possible quality of life. Sadly, some animals with glaucoma have had to have both eyes removed. This is not the end of the world–they adjust very well to there vision loss, especially when they no longer hurt! It is much harder for the owner to accept, but if the owner follows the example of how there pet learns to adapt, they will get through this difficult time of grieving the loss of there pet’s vision.