Glaucoma is an eye condition that impacts both cats and humans, causing painful elevation of pressure within the eye and potentially resulting in blindness. Cats can maintain their vision and live comfortably with early veterinary intervention, often involving eye drops to lower pressure.

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is an eye condition where the buildup of fluid, known as aqueous humor, leads to heightened pressure inside the eye due to impaired drainage. This increased pressure can cause gradual damage to the eye, as glaucoma tends to worsen progressively.

Signs of Glaucoma in cats:

Glaucoma in its early stages can be subtle, making it important for owners to observe their cats for signs of eye discomfort. These symptoms can overlap with those of other eye issues, underscoring the need for veterinary evaluation to pinpoint the underlying cause. Glaucoma can impact one eye or both.

Signs:

• Cloudiness of the eye
• Watery eye discharge
• Squinting
• Dilated (enlarged) pupil
• Swollen/enlarged eyeball
• Pawing at eyes or face

As glaucoma advances, alongside signs of eye discomfort, a cat’s behavior may alter, showing reduced sociability or increased lethargy due to pain and declining vision. When vision deteriorates significantly, cats may exhibit clumsiness, difficulty judging distances when jumping on or off surfaces, and occasionally bumping into unfamiliar objects around the home.

Causes of Glaucoma:

Glaucoma is classified into primary and secondary types. Primary glaucoma, which is congenital and present from birth, is uncommon in cats, though breeds like Burmese and Siamese cats seem to have a genetic tendency for this condition.

Secondary glaucoma, the predominant form in cats, develops due to conditions that damage the eye or hinder adequate fluid drainage. Examples include:

• Uveitis (inflammation inside the eye)
• Anterior lens luxation, where the lens displaces and obstructs drainage
• Eye trauma
• Advanced cataracts
• Tumor or similar or growth inside the eye

Diagnosing Glaucoma in Cats:

Eye disorders can present with various symptoms, necessitating specific tests for an accurate diagnosis of glaucoma in cats. Your veterinarian will start by reviewing your cat’s medical history and conducting a physical examination.

During an eye examination, your veterinarian may employ a specialized lens to inspect the eye’s structures for indications of glaucoma. If glaucoma is suspected, they will use a tonometer to measure intraocular pressure by placing the instrument gently on the eye’s surface. Persistent elevation of pressure, coupled with other signs of glaucoma, will typically lead to a diagnosis from your veterinarian.

Sometimes, your veterinarian might suggest consulting a veterinary ophthalmologist for further evaluation. These specialists possess advanced expertise and specialized tools to definitively diagnose glaucoma and propose optimal treatment options.

Treatment for Glaucoma in Cats:

Initially, treating glaucoma typically involves administering eye drops aimed at lowering intraocular pressure and reducing inflammation. Medications such as dorzolamide and timolol are used to achieve this effect.

Steroids may be prescribed to alleviate inflammation. Managing glaucoma can be challenging, requiring regular follow-up visits with your veterinarian. They will monitor changes in the eyes and adjust medications as necessary.

In severe cases of glaucoma or when medical treatment proves ineffective, surgery may be advised. Laser surgery can sometimes improve drainage of aqueous humor. In situations where blindness persists or if the condition causes persistent pain despite treatment, your veterinarian might suggest surgical removal of the affected eye.

Prognosis for Cats with Glaucoma:

Once eye damage from glaucoma occurs, it cannot be reversed, underscoring the importance of early detection to preserve vision and prevent severe discomfort. While glaucoma typically progresses over time, diligent treatment and ongoing veterinary care can enable cats to maintain a relatively normal quality of life.

How to Prevent your Cat from Glaucoma?

It’s not possible to completely prevent glaucoma in cats. Primary glaucoma, which is hereditary, can be avoided by refraining from breeding cats affected by this condition. Secondary glaucoma may be prevented by identifying and treating underlying eye conditions before they lead to glaucoma. Regular veterinary check-ups, ideally at least once a year, are crucial. They allow vets to detect early signs of eye changes and intervene before glaucoma develops or progresses.