Getting Treatment for Pet Glaucoma

If you suspect that your pet has an increase in pressure in an eye, it is best to treat the problem quickly, because glaucoma can cause severe damage in a short amount of time.

After taking a complete medical history and doing a physical exam, your vet or veterinary ophthalmologist may diagnose whether your pet in fact suffers from glaucoma through tests that include a complete eye exam; a check of the pressure inside of the eye (called tonometry); gonioscopy, a test that evaluates the drainage pathway; and eye ultrasound, which can help identify lenses or tumors that are out of place in the eye, if the doctor can’t determine this through a normal eye exam.

Treatment for glaucoma is generally aimed at decreasing the production of fluid inside the eye, increasing the flow of fluid out of the eye and controlling any inflammation inside the eye. Topical medications (drops and ointments placed directly on the eye) and systemic medications (pills or injections) are available.

Surgery may also be recommended. This can include trying to “kill” some of the cells that produce fluid inside of the eye by laser or deep-freeze; trying to create a different drainage pathway; removing the eye; placing a prosthesis in the “shell” of the eye; or injecting a medication into the eye to “kill” the fluid producing cells.