What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a disease of the eye in which the pressure within the eye, called intraocular pressure (IOP), is increased. Intraocular pressure is measured using an instrument called a tonometer.
What is intraocular pressure and how is it maintained?
The inside of the eyeball is filled with fluid, called aqueous humor. The size and shape of the normal eye is maintained by the amount of fluid contained within the eyeball. The pressure of the fluid inside the front or anterior chamber of the eye is known as intraocular pressure (IOP).
Aqueous humor is produced by a structure called the ciliary body. In addition to producing this fluid (aqueous humor), the ciliary body contains the suspensory ligaments that hold the lens in place. Muscles in the ciliary body pull on the suspensory ligaments, controlling the shape and focusing ability of the lens.
Aqueous humor contains nutrients and oxygen that are used by the structures within the eye. The ciliary body constantly produces aqueous humor, and the excess fluid is constantly drained from the eye between the cornea and the iris. This area is called the iridocorneal angle, the filtration angle, or the drainage angle.
As long as the production and absorption or drainage of aqueous humor is equal, the intraocular pressure remains constant.
What causes glaucoma?
Glaucoma is caused by inadequate drainage of aqueous fluid; it is not caused by overproduction of fluid. Glaucoma is further classified as primary or secondary glaucoma.
Primary glaucoma results in increased intraocular pressure in a healthy eye. Some breeds are more prone than others (see below). It occurs due to inherited anatomical abnormalities in the drainage angle.
Secondary glaucoma results in increased intraocular pressure due to disease or injury to the eye. This is the most common cause of glaucoma in dogs. Causes include:
- Uveitis (inflammation of the interior of the eye) or severe intraocular infections, resulting in debris and scar tissue blocking the drainage angle.
- Anterior dislocation of lens. The lens falls forward and physically blocks the drainage angle or pupil so that fluid is trapped behind the dislocated lens.
- Tumors can cause physical blockage of the iridocorneal angle.
- Intraocular bleeding. If there is bleeding in the eye, a blood clot can prevent drainage of the aqueous humor.
- Damage to the lens. Lens proteins leaking into the eye because of a ruptured lens can cause an inflammatory reaction resulting in swelling and blockage of the drainage angle.
Are certain breeds more likely to get glaucoma?
Yes, the following breeds are associated with glaucoma:
Why is an increase in intraocular pressure a problem?
High intraocular pressure causes damage or degenerative changes to occur in the retina and the optic nerve. The retina is the innermost lining layer of the eyeball, located on the back surface. It contains the light-sensitive rods and cones and other cells that convert images into nerve signals. The optic nerve is the nerve that runs from the back of the eye to the brain, and it carries the signals from the retina to the brain, thus producing vision.
"High intraocular pressure causes damage or degenerative changes to occur in the retina and the optic nerve."
What are the signs of glaucoma and how is it diagnosed?
The most common signs noted by owners are:
- Eye pain. Your dog may partially close and rub at the eye. He may turn away as you touch him or pet the side of his head.
- A watery discharge from the eye.
- Lethargy, loss of appetite or even unresponsiveness.
- Obvious physical swelling and bulging of the eyeball The white of the eye (sclera) looks red and engorged.
- The cornea or clear part of the eye may become cloudy or bluish in color.
- Blindness can occur very quickly unless the increased IOP is reduced.
All of these signs can occur very suddenly with acute glaucoma. In chronic glaucoma they develop more slowly. They may have been present for some time before your pet shows any signs of discomfort or clinical signs.
Diagnosis of glaucoma depends upon accurate IOP measurement and internal eye examination using special instruments. Acute glaucoma is an emergency. Sometimes immediate referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist is necessary.
What is the treatment for glaucoma?
It is important to reduce the IOP as quickly as possible to reduce the risk of irreversible damage and blindness. It is also important to treat any underlying disease that may be responsible for the glaucoma.
Analgesics are usually prescribed to control the pain and discomfort associated with the condition. Medications that decrease fluid production and promote drainage are often prescribed to treat the increased pressure. Long-term medical therapy may involve drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (e.g., dorzolamide 2%, brand names Trusopt® and Cosopt®) or beta-adrenergic blocking agents (e.g., 0.5% timolol, brand names Timoptic® and Betimol®).
Medical treatment often must be combined with surgery in severe or advanced cases. Veterinary ophthalmologists use various surgical techniques to reduce intraocular pressure. In some cases that do not respond to medical treatment or if blindness has developed, removal of the eye may be recommended to relieve the pain and discomfort.
Is follow-up treatment necessary?
Once glaucoma is diagnosed and medication is started, follow-up monitoring will be necessary. Initially, your veterinarian will recommend frequent follow-up examinations to ensure that your dog is responding adequately to the treatment or to make adjustments to the medications.
What is the prognosis?
The prognosis depends to a degree upon the underlying cause of the glaucoma. In the long term, constant medical treatment will be required to keep the disease under control.
