How To Treat Glaucoma In Cats – Symptoms, Causes And Treatment

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On small cats normal intraocular pressure is 15 to 25 mm Hg, anything above this is dangerous. When this happens, the optic nerve and/or retina can end up damaged, leading to obvious changes in your cat’s eye health. With an intraocular pressure greater than 30 mm Hg, it is a very clear sign for a diagnosis of glaucoma; At OneHowTo we give you more information about the symptoms of glaucoma in cats.

The early treatment of this ailment is essential for a guarantee of good vision since glaucoma with more than 1 day can have irreversible effects. Many times cat owners do not realize the problem until it is too late and the eyeball has to be removed.

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The most common treatment of glaucoma in cats is with the use of topical hypotensives, parenterally or orally. With this type of medication you can control some types of glaucoma and it is usually a lifelong treatment even in an eye that has lost vision. Treatment of chronic glaucoma may include topical or oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and pilocarpine. In addition, any additional eye disorders that can be observed should be treated to ensure that your cat has the best quality of life.

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Some of the secondary nerve damage caused by glaucoma is thought to be due to the cellular chemical glutamate. It is a very toxic amino acid for the ganglion cells of the retina, which stimulates them excessively. Medications that block glutamate receptors and calcium channel blockers are used to protect the optic nerve and retina. This type of drug is being evaluated as a possible therapy for glaucoma.

In some cases, given the lack of response to treatment, recourse to eye surgery provided there is potential for vision retention. This type of intervention may seek to decrease fluid production or even increase the velocity of ocular flow to reduce pressure. When glaucoma cannot be controlled, evisceration is recommended to place intraocular prostheses, or even enucleation in certain cases if your cat’s blind eye causes a lot of pain.

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Another way to treat glaucoma is with the use of retina protectors that usually have good results in eyes with long-term vision, delaying the onset of blindness or even preventing its onset.

When it comes to acute glaucoma, it is a serious condition that implies an ophthalmological emergency. This case may require hospitalization and act effectively to reduce intraocular pressure, so it will be necessary to act quickly to obtain the best possible results. It is always better not to reach this point, hence the importance of an early diagnosis to avoid major problems for the eye health of your cat.

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