Mary Allen
Glaucoma is a very painful eye condition. It is not uncommon for cats to lose their eyesight as a result. But what are the causes of glaucoma and how can it be treated? Find answers here.
Glaucoma can appear very spontaneously or develop slowly. Since the associated increase in intraocular pressure is associated with great pain for the furry paw, you should see a doctor as soon as possible – because glaucoma is an emergency. If the eye becomes cloudy and the cat becomes apathetic, it means: off to the practice.
Glaucoma in Cats: Causes
There are basically two types of glaucoma: primary and secondary glaucoma. In the latter case, the causes are usually previous primary diseases of the eye – such as a displacement of the lens or an infection in the inner eye. This can run in parallel or even years ago and still cause an increase in intraocular pressure.
In the case of primary glaucoma, on the other hand, no such history can be shown. Affected cats often have congenital malformations in their eyes, which explain the increasing pressure in their eyes. One of the possible causes is, for example, that the outflow or chamber angle of the eye is malformed or narrowed. As a result, the eye fluid can no longer circulate naturally – and the intraocular pressure increases continuously.
Treatment of Glaucoma
Glaucoma should be treated as soon as possible if the cat’s sight is to be saved and maintained. If the disease is diagnosed early, the veterinarian usually uses eye drops that constrict the pupil and thus facilitate the drainage of the aqueous humor. There are also medications to relieve the pain. However, both must be administered throughout life to prevent glaucoma from progressing.
Because this medication is not well tolerated by some cats diagnosed with glaucoma, veterinarians often only use it in preparation for surgery. The so-called ciliary body is destroyed with laser technology or by freezing, thus inhibiting the production of aqueous humor, which leads to an increase in pressure in the cat’s eye. However, this surgery promises to be more successful in dogs than in cats. If the cat is already blind, even an operation will not help to restore sight. Here, for the sake of the cat, the eye has to be removed and sewn up. What sounds terrible is a release for the cat – because it no longer has to endure the severe pain caused by glaucoma.