A guide to glaucoma in cats

Glaucoma is a painful eye condition that occurs when the eye’s intraocular pressure (IOP) increases. The cause of this can be due to an anatomical issue — it’s more common in certain breeds, such as Siamese and Burmese. It can also be secondary and a result of another condition. Regardless of the cause, getting a diagnosis and starting treatment early on is the key to successfully treating glaucoma in cats.

Your cat’s eyes are very similar to your own. There’s the sclera (the white portion of the eye), the iris (the color portion of the eye), and the pupil (black and, for your cat, oblong). All of these sit in front of the vitreous chamber. When aqueous humor (the fluid in the anterior chamber) cannot drain or too much is being produced, it’s called glaucoma, and it can be caused in various ways.

Primary glaucoma in cats

In the case of primary glaucoma, the cause is due to an abnormality in the shape of the eye. This typically has to do with the drainage angle, which results in more pressure in otherwise healthy eyes.

Secondary glaucoma in cats

While primary glaucoma is rare, secondary glaucoma in cats is more common. This occurs due to another illness or injury and is most frequently seen in older cats. Some conditions that cause aqueous humor fluids to build up in cats include:

• Injury or damage. Trauma, like an accidental injury to the eye, or any other kind of damage to the lens and surrounding structure of a cat’s eye can cause glaucoma.
• Anterior dislocation Trusted Source The Merck Veterinary Manual Trusted provider of veterinary medicine. Go to source . When the lens becomes dislocated and falls forward, which blocks the drainage angle, glaucoma can occur because fluid cannot properly drain.
• Tumors. Tumors within and around the eye can block drainage, leading to glaucoma until the tumor is removed.
• Intraocular bleeding Trusted Source PubMed Central Archive of biomedical and life sciences journal literature. Go to source . Bleeding in the eye can cause a blood clot, which can prevent drainage and cause glaucoma.
• Uveitis Trusted Source VCA Hospitals Community of veterinarians with up-to-date veterinary information. Go to source Inflammation or infections of the inner eye can result in scar tissue that blocks the drainage and can lead to glaucoma.

The signs of glaucoma in cats are subtle, so it’s important to rely on a diagnosis from a veterinarian rather than symptoms. Here’s how your vet may diagnose glaucoma in your cat.

• Medical history and physical examination. Veterinarians trained to note the subtle signs of glaucoma will look for signs — like cloudiness, redness, or swelling — in a routine physical examination and take into account your cat’s medical history.
• Special diagnostic techniques for glaucoma. Once your vet suspects that your cat may be suffering from glaucoma, a tonometer will be used to test your cat’s eye pressure. If it comes back higher than normal and has accompanying symptoms, a glaucoma diagnosis is likely.
• Other diagnostic tests. In some cases, your veterinarian may use a gonioscopy, which determines how efficiently your cat’s eye is draining. In some cases, it may be necessary for your cat to visit a veterinary ophthalmologist.

Treatment for glaucoma in cats depends on the cause, although it isn’t curable regardless of how glaucoma develops. Here are some of the treatment options for glaucoma in cats.

While glaucoma in cats isn’t curable, with diligent care and depending on the cause, cats can have a good quality of life — even if it means losing one eye!

Preventing glaucoma in cats can be as simple as a vet visit. Here are some ways to help ensure that your cat has healthy eyes:

Schedule regular vet visits — Annual visits are important for cats of any age or condition. Your vet will look for signs of glaucoma or any other eye issue at these appointments.

Maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle — Feeding your cat a healthy diet, particularly as they are developing, promotes healthier eyes throughout their life. Pet parents should also consider keeping their home clear of items that could cause an eye injury.

Stay educated — Medical science is constantly evolving, including veterinary medicine. When it comes to prevention and treatment, stay in the know about glaucoma in cats so that you can catch it early on, avoid breeding cats prone to it, or take steps towards better management.

For pet parents who have a cat with glaucoma, there are some resources that may be able to help you navigate through the treatment process.