Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Surgical procedures for glaucoma: what the general practitioner needs to know.
- Journal:
- Topics in companion animal medicine
- Year:
- 2008
- Authors:
- Sapienza, John S
- Affiliation:
- Long Island Veterinary Specialists · United States
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Glaucoma is a serious eye condition that can be treated with both medications and surgery, but many eye specialists recommend surgery as the best option. It's important to catch the signs of glaucoma early and choose the right type of surgery based on how advanced the condition is and what caused it. For dogs with primary glaucoma, there are different surgical techniques available, such as procedures that reduce fluid production in the eye or help fluid drain better. In cases where a dog is completely blind and there’s no chance of restoring vision, more drastic options like removing the eye may be suggested. When deciding on the best surgical approach, factors like the dog's vision status, the owner's expectations, costs, and any other health issues should all be taken into account.
Abstract
Glaucoma can be treated by medical and surgical options. Most ophthalmologists believe that patients with glaucoma are best treated with surgery. Early recognition of clinical signs and selection of the most effective type of surgery depending on the stage of glaucoma and the underlying cause are important factors in glaucoma surgery. Several surgical procedures exist for dogs with primary glaucoma, which may include a cyclodestructive technique or an aqueous outflow bypass procedure or a combination of both procedures. Salvage procedures such as enucleation, evisceration with an intrascleral prosthesis, or chemical intravitreal injection may be advised for chronically blind eyes with no hope of vision. Client compliance and expectations, therapeutic goals, status of vision (visual versus blind), financial constraints, surgical expertise, and underlying systemic disorders should be considered in the selection of the most appropriate surgical option for each patient.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18544331/