Glaucome

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.