Feline Glaucoma

Feline glaucoma, like human glaucoma, is a condition in which the watery fluid (aqueous humor) contained in the front part of the eye, just behind the lens, is unable to drain normally. The resulting accumulation of this fluid puts pressure on the optic nerve, which leads from the eye to the brain. Nerve damage caused by this pressure prevents normal vision and, if the condition progresses without treatment, is likely to result in partial or total blindness. Glaucoma may affect one or both eyes, depending on the type of glaucoma present.

 The sign of Glaucoma:
That one or both eyes become progressively cloudy, and over a period of time will enlarge. And one eye may look larger than the other as pressure increases.” Other potential clinical signs include squinting and a dilated pupil that does not react to light. An affected cat may lose interest in normal activities, but more often, the progression of the disorder is so subtle that behavioral changes may not be obvious.

Glaucoma is incurable,
 the pain and clinical signs may be relieved by the use of eyedrops containing dorzolamide and/or timolol, which reduce intraocular pressure, and steroids, which treat inflammation.

Progressive vision loss is likely but may be retarded by treatment with the aforementioned medications. In some cases, surgical removal of an affected eye or both eyes may become necessary if pain cannot be alleviated.

LOVE YOUR CAT.

 credit to: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/Health_Information/glaucoma.cfm