Clayton Animal Hospital Glaucoma

Five years ago, I was diagnosed
with glaucoma during a routine eye
exam. Since then, I have required
medical therapy to help keep my
glaucoma under control. My doctor
was glad I was diagnosed in the
early stages of the disease. Do
dogs and cats develop glaucoma,
and if so, is there a test we can do
to screen my pets?

Glaucoma is a disease in which an
abnormal amount of pressure builds
up in the eye. It can be inherited
(primary) or acquired secondary to
trauma or other eye diseases. Certain
purebred dogs have a higher
prevalence of inherited glaucoma,
including the beagle, cocker spaniel,
basset hound, and many terrier
breeds. Persian and Siamese cats are
considered to be at greater risk than
other breeds. There are many medical
and surgical treatments, which help to
maintain the pressure within normal
range. A device called a tonometer is
used to diagnose glaucoma by
measuring the intraocular pressure of
a dog or cat. Older tonometers were
somewhat difficult to use, especially in
uncooperative patients. A new digital
tonometer, called the Tonopen, has
recently been developed for pets. The
Tonopen makes for easier and more
accurate determination of intraocular
pressure. Eye drops are placed which
numbs the eye and the tonometer is
touched to the surface of the pet's
anesthetized eye to get a reading.
This new technology allows for more
convenient screening of breeds at risk
and geriatric patients. For a more
complete list of breeds which are
predisposed to inherited glaucoma,
ask your veterinarian.