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AAHA: The American Animal Hospital Association

The size and shape of the normal eye is maintained by the amount of fluid within the eyeball. The pressure of the fluid inside the front or anterior chamber of the eye is known as the intra-ocular pressure (IOP). Fluid is constantly produced by a structure called the ciliary body. In addition to producing this fluid (aqueous humor), the ciliary body contains the suspensory ligaments which 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 excess fluid is constantly drained from the eye between the cornea and the iris. This area is called the iridocorneal, filtration, or drainage angle.

The intra-ocular pressure remains constant as long as the production and absorption or drainage of aqueous is equal.

What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is defined as an increase in IOP. This is measured using an instrument called a tonometer. Glaucoma is caused by inadequate drainage of aqueous rather than the over production of fluid. Glaucoma may be further classified as primary or secondary.

Primary glaucoma results in increased intra-ocular pressure in a healthy eye. Some breeds are more prone than others. It occurs due to inherited anatomical abnormalities in the drainage angle. For example, in narrow angle glaucoma there is a shallow anterior chamber which causes the iris to block the iridocorneal angle interfering with the filtration. Abnormalities in the drainage angle (goniodysgenesis) can lead to a raised IOP in middle age.

Secondary glaucoma results in increased intra-ocular pressure due to disease or injury to the eye. This is the most common cause of glaucoma in dogs and cats. Causes include:

Uveitis (inflammation) and severe intra-ocular 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 such that fluid is trapped behind the dislocated lens.
Tumors which cause physical blockage of the iridocorneal angle.
Intra-ocular bleeding. The blood clot can prevent drainage of the aqueous humor.
Damage to the lens. Lens proteins leaking into the eye as a result of a ruptured lens can cause a reaction which results in swelling and blockage of the drainage angle.

What are the symptoms of glaucoma and how is it diagnosed?

The most common clinical signs noted by owners are:

Ocular or eye pain. Your dog may partially closed and rub at the eye. He may turn away as you touch or pet the side of his head.
A watery discharge from the eye, accompanied by a dog that is depressed and unresponsive.
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. Blindness can occur very quickly unless the increased IOP is reduced.

All 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 depends upon accurate IOP measurement (tonometry) and internal eye examination using special instruments.

Acute glaucoma is an emergency. Sometimes 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.

Medical treatment often must be combined with surgery. Veterinary ophthalmologists use various surgical techniques to reduce intra-ocular pressure. In some cases that do not respond to medical treatment or if blindness has developed, removal of the eye (enucleation) may be recommended to relieve the pain and discomfort.

What should I do?

Under 7 years of age -- test every year
Over 7 years of age -- test every 6 months
In breeds with a high incidence of glaucoma, test every 6 months regardless of age:

Afghan
Akita
Alaskan Malamute
Basset Hound
Beagle
Border Collie
Boston Terrier
Bouvier des Flanders
Chihuahua
Cocker Spaniel
Cairn Terrier
Corgi, Cardigan Welsh
Corgi, Pembroke Welsh
Chow
Dachshund

Dalmatian
Dandie Dinmont Terrier
English Springer Spaniel
Fox Terrier, Smooth-coated
Fox Terrier, Wire-haired
Great Dane
Maltese
Manchester Terrier
Miniature Pinscher
Norfolk Terrier
Norwegian Terrier
Norwich Terrier
Poodle

Saluki
Schnauzer, Giant
Scottish Terrier
Sealyham Terrier
Siberian Husky
Samoyed
Shih Tzu
Skye Terrier
Tibetan Terrier
Welsh Terrier
Welsh Springer Spaniel
West Highland White Terrier
Whippet

Some cat breeds with a predisposition are:

Persians

Siamese

Domestic Shorthairs