Glaucoma is one important eye problem that can cause serious problems for humans and also for dogs. Glaucoma happens when the eye gets a higher intraocular eye pressure. The fluid that exists in the eyes has a well defined shape.
The fluid quantity is regulated by the body in order to maintain the pressure in the eyes, at an optimal level. When the pressure goes beyond limit than glaucoma happens. This disease can even cause vision loss. The optic nerves and the retina are affected. You should know that for dogs this illness is painful. This is why immediate medical attention is required.
Glaucoma Symptoms
There are some of the most usual symptoms that appear:
- Eye pain
- Pupils get larger
- Yellow or greenish discharges from the eyes appear
- The cornea is clouded
- The eyes tend to lose colors
- The number of blood vessels in the eyes will increase
- Eyes can become bloody
- One eye can look larger than the other.
Glaucoma Causes
The drainage system of the eye can cause this. If it works improperly problems appear. In this as the eye can not remove the excess liquid and pressure is built up.
Eye inflammation and injury around that area are the most common causes.
Glaucoma Types
Two main types appear: primary and secondary. The genetic predisposition determined the primary type of the disease. For example, the drainage pores in the eye can be too large, too small or in an incorrect angle. This results in fluid accumulation.
Glaucoma Diagnosis
Only the veterinarian can place a certain diagnosis as it is the most qualified person to do that. You can also check a veterinary ophthalmologist. They will do complete blood work and they will examine the dog. They also see what the intraocular pressure is and the ways to drain the pressure away. They use tonometry and gonioscopy to remove the pressure. Sometimes they can do conduct ultrasonography to determine the existence of tumor or eye cancer. You must always take the dog to the vet if you see some signs of trouble.
Glaucoma Treatment
Surgical and medical treatments are available for this disease. Surgery will remove the pressure by removing the fluid excess build up. They can even prescribe pills, eye drops or injections. It is not hard to treat or manage this disease if you learn to take care of it in time.
Laser cyclophotocoagulation is also at hand and this technique will destroy portions of the dog’s eye that create the fluid. Usually surgery is recommended in those cases when the eye can still be saved. In other cases the pain is just managed using medication.
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