Glaucoma is a common eye disease in dogs in which the pressure inside the eye is too high. Primary glaucoma is an inherited condition, while secondary canine glaucoma is the result of another condition, such as cataracts, lens displacement, inflammation, trauma or some types of eye cancer.
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Background
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The conditions that cause secondary glaucoma in dogs do so because they reduce the drainage from the eye, which increases the intraocular pressure (IOP).
Diagnosis
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To diagnose glaucoma, the veterinary ophthalmologist uses a tonometry test that measures the dog's IOP. An IOP reading between 10 and 20 mmHg is normal. If a high reading indicates glaucoma, other tests are done to determine if it's primary or secondary glaucoma, the prognosis for your dog's eye(s) and vision, and the recommended treatment.
Symptoms
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Symptoms of glaucoma are often not obvious. A dog's eye may appear red, bloodshot, distended or enlarged. Vision loss is common.
Treatment
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Secondary canine glaucoma has no standard treatment. According to the NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine, medical treatment often involves long-term use of topical medications to decrease IOP, or laser eye surgery to control the IOP.
Considerations
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Canine glaucoma often causes irreversible blindness and is usually painful for the dog.
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