Glaucoma in Cats

Glaucoma (also called "hard eye") is when the fluid pressure builds up too much in one or both of the cat's eyes. This happens when there is a circulation problem in the eye. According to "Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook" (Delbert G. Carlson, DVM, et al, 1995). Persians and Siamese are the breeds most prone to getting glaucoma.

  1. Causes

    • Cats can develop glaucoma due to genetics, a previous eye injury or infections or tumors in the eye. They can develop at any time in the cat's life.

    Types

    • There are two types of feline glaucoma and they get different treatments. Primary glaucoma affects one eye, begins without cause and is very rare. Secondary glaucoma is more common and is caused by another eye problem.

    Early Symptoms

    • According to "Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook" (Delbert G. Carlson, DVM, et al, 1995), symptoms include tearing more than normal, redness of the eye white and squinting. If not treated immediately, the eye will start to get bigger.

    Later Symptoms

    • As time passes, the affected eye gets bigger, bulging grotesquely from the face. According to Dr. Jennifer Welser (see References), the pupil will also stop dilating and contracting, will get cloudy, dry and eventually go blind.

    Treatment

    • The most common treatment is surgery. Dr. Jennifer Wesler notes that some antibiotic drops can help in primary glaucoma, but they do not help in secondary glaucoma.