What Is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a condition within the eye, and one that can affect not only felines but also humans. The intraocular pressure becomes elevated, causing the potential for pain and blindness if left unchecked. Cats whose condition is caught early can generally retain their vision and quality of life with pressure-reducing eye drops and veterinary care.
Glaucoma Explained
Glaucoma is termed when fluid, called aqueous humor, fails to drain properly from an eye. This condition creates the buildup of intraocular pressure within the eye over time. It can create a destructive effect to the shape of the eye.
Since it is a progressive disease, the advancement of glaucoma has progressively worsened the condition over time, which is why proper diagnosis and treatment are the best ways to delay the further progression of this disease.
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Glaucoma Symptoms In cats
Glaucoma symptoms may not be clear at the early stages. So, there is a great need to identify suspicious signs. The symptoms of glaucoma in cats may be similar to those of other eye diseases; hence, an assessment by the veterinarian is quite essential to identify the true cause.
More often than not, glaucoma may affect one or both eyes. Some of the symptoms include redness, squinting, or cloudiness. As the disease progresses, changes may be evident in the form of withdrawal, lethargy, or clumsiness due to pain or a loss of vision. Cats that suffer from almost total vision loss will be disoriented about their depth perception and make misjudged leaps, sometimes coming into accidental collision with objects surrounding its space.
Causes of Glaucoma in Cats
The glaucoma in cats is categorized into two: primary and secondary. Primary glaucoma is a type of the disease which is innate, meaning the animal was born with it. In cats, this type is relative rare but has a genetic predisposition; breeds of Burmese and Siamese have been genetically linked with primary glaucoma.
Secondary glaucoma is more common in cats
its causes arise from other conditions in the eye, which either blocks normal drainage or can impair it. Common causes for secondary glaucoma include:
- Uveitis: ( This is an inflammation in the eye )
- Anterior lens luxation: ( This refers to the displacement of the lens which blocks the drainage )
- Eye Trauma
- Advanced cataracts
- Tumors or growths in the eye
Diagnosing Cats
Glaucoma Veterinarians often rely on specific tests to diagnose glaucoma because of its similar symptoms to other eye conditions. Your vet will likely review your cat’s medical background and conduct a physical examination before observing the eyes.
To make an official diagnosis of glaucoma, a veterinarian may take an intraocular pressure reading through the use of a odometer, a device that measures pressure over just above the surface of the eye. Elevated pressure together with other symptoms of glaucoma usually confirms the diagnosis. Sometimes, your vet will recommend you visit a veterinary ophthalmologist for a more complex diagnosis and treatment plan.
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Cats Glaucoma Treatment
The common management of the treatment of glaucoma is through an administration of eye drops for intraocular pressure and inflammation.
A dorzolamide or timolol eye drop would be given to reduce the intraocular pressure, with steroids as prescribed to remove inflammation. Chronic glaucoma cats are likely to require sequential follow-ups, which involved adjustment of medications and continuous monitoring.
In severe cases, or as a supplement to medical therapy, surgery may be deemed appropriate. For example, laser surgery may assist with the drainage of fluid in certain cases.
In cats where the pain is unsustainable, or where the cat develops blindness due to the glaucoma, removal of the eye may be recommended to assist the animal’s comfort and quality of life.
Cats Eyes of cats suffering from Glaucoma
Glaucoma cannot be salvaged, but treatment needs to be initiated at the earliest possible stage to avoid damage and restore vision and minimize pain. Progressive Disease At the same time, despite being a progressive disease, glaucoma in most cats can be controlled with appropriate treatment and continuing veterinary care, so cats can lead relatively normal lifestyles.
Can Glaucoma in Cats Be Prevented?
It cannot be prevented with absolute certainty. There are actually several measures that may be taken to reduce genetic risk and therefore prevent primary glaucoma in cats. After all, if one breeds cats to avoid the encoding of primary glaucoma risk, one may avoid secondary glaucoma if the original issue treated promptly. Regular veterinary check-ups, ideally once a year, more recommended to occur more often, are very helpful as serious eye issues can be identified early and glaucoma prevented or slowed.
If you think your pet may be unwell, contact your veterinarian right away. For any health concerns, always reach out to your vet, as they have assessed your pet, understand their health history, and can provide the best guidance tailored to your pet’s needs.
