Canine Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a painful eye disease of dogs that usually presents suddenly. The normal eye pressure in a dog is between 10-25 mmHg. Glaucoma is diagnosed when the eye pressure is above 30 mmHg. Once an eye becomes enlarged, vision is lost. Glaucoma should be treated as an emergency if vision is to be saved.
Clinical signs
Causes
Congenital (born with the condition) – uncommon
Primary glaucoma - the drainage angle inside the eye is abnormal, causing fluid to build up. Breed related - breeds predisposed to primary glaucoma include the Golden Retriever, Poodle, Siberian Husky, English Cocker Spaniel, American Cocker Spaniel, English Springer Spaniel, Boston Terrier, Border Collie, Maltese and many more. Crosses of these breeds may also be affected. Unfortunately dogs with primary glaucoma are likely to develop glaucoma in the other eye within the next 2 years. We will perform gonioscopy (look at the drainage angle) to check the good eye. We will try and delay the onset by using medications in the 'good' eye. Medications are usually LIFE LONG.
Secondary glaucoma – Can occur in any dog – due to some other process in the eye, such as:
Anterior uveitis – Inflammation in the eye
Tumour – Iris melanoma, lymphoma
Trauma – Bleeding in the eye
Anterior lens luxation – lens or cataract falls to the front of the eye
Treatment
Treatment is divided into four categories:
Emergency treatment
Treating the potentially visual eye
Resolving a blind painful eye
Delaying the onset of glaucoma in the normal eye.
Emergency Treatment
Dogs that present with sudden-onset glaucoma can be given eye drops such as Xalatan, Travatan or Lumigan. These medications can bring down the intraocular pressure within 90 minutes. If this treatment is effective, the dog will need ongoing medication to control the intraocular pressure. If this treatment is not effective then surgery is required.
Vision saving surgery:
If anti-glaucoma medications do not restore normal eye pressure then either laser surgery or a glaucoma shunt can be performed. Both surgeries require a general anaesthetic and life long medications with regular examinations.
Blind painful eye:
Where a dog has a blind, painful eye, an intraocular silicone prosthetic or eye removal is the best option. Eye removal can be done with your local vets, whereas an intraocular silicone prosthetic is only done by an eye specialist. Both these procedures require a general anaesthetic with some medications post-operatively.
Delaying the onset of glaucoma in the good eye:
For dogs with primary glaucoma, we will use eye drops to try and delay the onset of glaucoma in the good eye. These medications are life-long.
Should you have any questions or concerns please contact us on 03 9545 0103.
Glaucoma is a painful eye disease of dogs that usually presents suddenly. The normal eye pressure in a dog is between 10-25 mmHg. Glaucoma is diagnosed when the eye pressure is above 30 mmHg. Once an eye becomes enlarged, vision is lost. Glaucoma should be treated as an emergency if vision is to be saved.
Clinical signs
- Red eye
- Blue/cloudy eye
- Vision loss
- Pain – quiet, not enthusiastic, lowered appetite
- Mucky discharge
- Dilated pupil
- Swollen/enlarged eyeball
Causes
Congenital (born with the condition) – uncommon
Primary glaucoma - the drainage angle inside the eye is abnormal, causing fluid to build up. Breed related - breeds predisposed to primary glaucoma include the Golden Retriever, Poodle, Siberian Husky, English Cocker Spaniel, American Cocker Spaniel, English Springer Spaniel, Boston Terrier, Border Collie, Maltese and many more. Crosses of these breeds may also be affected. Unfortunately dogs with primary glaucoma are likely to develop glaucoma in the other eye within the next 2 years. We will perform gonioscopy (look at the drainage angle) to check the good eye. We will try and delay the onset by using medications in the 'good' eye. Medications are usually LIFE LONG.
Secondary glaucoma – Can occur in any dog – due to some other process in the eye, such as:
Anterior uveitis – Inflammation in the eye
Tumour – Iris melanoma, lymphoma
Trauma – Bleeding in the eye
Anterior lens luxation – lens or cataract falls to the front of the eye
Treatment
Treatment is divided into four categories:
Emergency treatment
Treating the potentially visual eye
Resolving a blind painful eye
Delaying the onset of glaucoma in the normal eye.
Emergency Treatment
Dogs that present with sudden-onset glaucoma can be given eye drops such as Xalatan, Travatan or Lumigan. These medications can bring down the intraocular pressure within 90 minutes. If this treatment is effective, the dog will need ongoing medication to control the intraocular pressure. If this treatment is not effective then surgery is required.
Vision saving surgery:
If anti-glaucoma medications do not restore normal eye pressure then either laser surgery or a glaucoma shunt can be performed. Both surgeries require a general anaesthetic and life long medications with regular examinations.
Blind painful eye:
Where a dog has a blind, painful eye, an intraocular silicone prosthetic or eye removal is the best option. Eye removal can be done with your local vets, whereas an intraocular silicone prosthetic is only done by an eye specialist. Both these procedures require a general anaesthetic with some medications post-operatively.
Delaying the onset of glaucoma in the good eye:
For dogs with primary glaucoma, we will use eye drops to try and delay the onset of glaucoma in the good eye. These medications are life-long.
Should you have any questions or concerns please contact us on 03 9545 0103.
