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How Does Cat Glaucoma Happen?
In this article, we will share some of the cat glaucoma symptoms you must know for your cat to stay healthy. If you have a cat at home, it’s in your best interest to be aware of this condition and what it can do to a cat’s vision.
One of the most common causes of glaucoma in cats is a condition where the eyelid droops. In this condition, fluid builds up in the eye and interferes with normal eye function.
The abnormal accumulation of fluid in the eyes is called “glaucoma” and it may result from several conditions that cause increased pressure within or around the eyeball.
Three types of glaucoma are most commonly seen in cats:
1) Exfoliative glaucoma, which occurs when a cat’s eyelids become glued together due to an accumulation of dead tissue on them;
2) Nuclear glaucoma, which occurs when a cat’s pupil blocks off some or all vision.
3) Angle-closure glaucoma, which is the most common
Cat Glaucoma usually happens when there’s a blockage in the drainage system of an eye that leads to the buildup of pressure that gets too great for the optic nerve to handle.
Eventually, it becomes difficult for the retina to function properly or even cease functioning altogether. The pressure in these eyes can be caused by many things like infections, trauma, tumors, and congenital diseases like glaucoma in cats
Cat Glaucoma Symptoms and Signs
Cat glaucoma is a common problem that affects cats. If your cat starts to have difficulty seeing, it’s important to check for the symptoms of the disease.
Whether you are concerned for your cat or simply want to know more about what to look out for, here are some of the most common signs and symptoms of cat glaucoma.
Signs and symptoms of cat glaucoma:
- Suddenly loss of vision (kneeling or squatting)
- Eye redness, irritation, or discharge (may be sudden or gradual)
- Eye pain (especially if it is an inner eye)
- Flat or sunken eyes
- Keep pawing on the face or eyes
- Pupil look delated
- Loss weight and loss of appetite
- Cannot see properly or blindness
Causes of Glaucoma in Cats
The causes of cats’ glaucoma can be divided into two categories.
Primary Glaucoma
Primary glaucoma is a condition that affects the eye’s ability to drain fluid.
It is caused by the malfunction of the drainage system in which fluid builds up in front of the retina. This can lead to blindness if not treated promptly.
The incidence of primary glaucoma is increasing due to age and hereditary factors.
Some breeds, such as the Siamese, Persian, and Burmese are more likely to develop primary glaucoma
Secondary Glaucoma
Secondary glaucoma is more common than primary glaucoma. It can cause blindness in some cases.
It occurs secondary to another disease. Getting diagnostic testing to determine the underlying cause of the glaucoma is critical. If the cause of your cat’s vision loss is determined, your veterinarian can recommend appropriate treatments and give a prognosis for how long they predict your cat will live.
Cat Glaucoma Treatment
Cat glaucoma treatment is a process of surgical removal of the eyes from cats to alleviate pressure on the optic nerve.
This is an eye surgery that is performed when a cat’s eye has been pushed too hard onto the optic nerve, causing pain and visual impairment. The surgery can be performed by an ophthalmologist or veterinary surgeon with surgical training.
This procedure aims to relieve pressure on the optic nerve and prevent permanent damage to vision. Cat glaucoma treatment can be done without anesthesia if it’s done by an ophthalmologist, while most veterinarians perform it while sedated for comfort and safety purposes. Any anesthesia given will wear off after about 10 minutes, so some painkillers like ketamine may be used to help control that pain.
Protecting Your Cat’s Eyes from Cat Glaucoma
If you own a cat, you should know how to care for its eyes. Cat Glaucoma is an issue that can cause permanent blindness if not treated.
An eye exam will allow the vet to determine whether or not your cat has glaucoma or not. If your vet determines that your cat has glaucoma, the vet may suggest some preventative options for cats with gluocoma.
Eye drops are often used as one of the preventative options for cats with gluocoma. Eye drops are usually given every day and the owner must monitor how often he/she gives them based on what is recommended by their veterinarian.
Conclusion: Make Sure You’re Alert on Cat Glaucoma Symptoms
A recent study found that half of the pets who had a cancerous tumor in their eye had an eyelid tumor as well. This is because the eyelid tumor can sometimes develop into a cancerous tumor and metastasize to other parts of the body.
With this in mind, it’s critical to take your pet to the veterinarian as soon as you notice anything unusual with his or her eyes. The sooner they can be treated, the better your pet’s chances are for survival.
