General

  1. Glaucoma: a condition characterized by increased pressure within the eye, which can damage the optic nerve and lead to vision loss.
  2. Primary glaucoma: a form of glaucoma that occurs due to genetic factors or other unknown causes, and is not related to other underlying conditions.
  3. Secondary glaucoma: a form of glaucoma that occurs as a result of another underlying condition, such as an eye infection, injury, or tumor
  4. Primary Open Angle Glaucoma: an inherited progressive eye disease characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the optic nerve and can lead to blindness.
  5. Primary Acute angle-closure glaucoma: an inherited condition resulting in the sudden onset of glaucoma that occurs when the drainage angle of the eye becomes blocked, leading to a rapid increase in intraocular pressure.
  6. Chronic glaucoma: a form of glaucoma that develops slowly over time and may not cause noticeable symptoms until later stages.
  7. Congenital glaucoma: a rare form of glaucoma that occurs in puppies and young dogs due to a genetic defect in the drainage system of the eye.
  8. Uveitis: inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye that contains blood vessels, which can lead to secondary glaucoma.
  9. Hyphema: bleeding within the anterior chamber of the eye, which can cause elevated intraocular pressure and may be a complication of glaucoma.
  10. Goniodysgenesis: abnormal development of the drainage angle of the eye, which can increase the risk of developing glaucoma.
  11. Buphthalmos: enlargement of the eyeball, which can occur in congenital glaucoma.

Anatomy

  • Optic nerve: the nerve that connects the eye to the brain and carries visual information.
  • Retina: the layer of tissue at the back of the eye that contains photoreceptor cells that detect light and send visual signals to the brain.
  • Trabecular Meshwork (TM): A network of tiny channels located at the junction of the iris (colored part of the eye) and the cornea (clear outer layer of the eye). It is responsible for draining the aqueous humor (fluid in the eye) out of the eye and maintaining normal intraocular pressure.
  • Ciliary Body: The aqueous humor is constantly produced by the ciliary body and flows through the pupil into the anterior chamber of the eye, where it circulates and provides nutrients to the cornea and lens.

Diagnosis

  1. Tonometry: a test that measures intraocular pressure using a specialized instrument called a tonometer.
  2. Gonioscopy: a test that evaluates the drainage angle of the eye to determine the risk of developing glaucoma or the type of glaucoma.
  3. Intraocular pressure (IOP): the pressure within the eye, which is measured using a tonometer. Elevated IOP is a key feature of glaucoma.
  4. Visual field test: a test that measures the range of vision by detecting the presence or absence of light in different areas of the visual field.
  5. Episcleral venous pressure (EVP): the pressure within the veins that drain blood from the eye, which can affect intraocular pressure.
  6. Visual impairment: a partial or complete loss of vision, which can occur as a result of glaucoma.
  7. Tonopen: a handheld device that measures intraocular pressure by gently touching the surface of the eye.
  8. Veterinary Ophthalmologist: a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases, including glaucoma.
  9. Electroretinogram (ERG): a diagnostic test that measures the electrical activity of the retina in response to light.
  10. Visual evoked potential (VEP): a diagnostic test that measures the electrical activity of the visual pathway in response to light.
  11. Tonography: a test that measures the rate of aqueous humor (the fluid in the eye) formation and outflow to evaluate the drainage system of the eye.

Treatments

  1. Prostaglandin analogs: a type of medication that helps reduce intraocular pressure by increasing the outflow of fluid from the eye.
  2. Beta blockers: a type of medication that decreases the production of fluid in the eye and reduces intraocular pressure.
  3. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: a type of medication that decreases the production of fluid in the eye and reduces intraocular pressure.
  4. Laser surgery: a procedure that uses a laser to create tiny openings in the drainage system of the eye, allowing fluid to flow out more easily and reducing intraocular pressure.
  5. Bleb: a small, fluid-filled blister that may form on the surface of the eye after laser surgery for glaucoma.
  6. Iridotomy: a procedure that uses a laser to create a small hole in the iris (colored part of the eye), allowing fluid to flow more easily and reducing intraocular pressure.
  7. Cyclophotocoagulation: a procedure that uses a laser to destroy a portion of the ciliary body, which produces the fluid in the eye, in order to reduce intraocular pressure.
  8. Topical medications: medications that are applied directly to the surface of the eye, typically in the form of eye drops, to reduce intraocular pressure.
  9. Oral medications: medications that are given by mouth to reduce intraocular pressure, usually in combination with topical medications.
  10. Enucleation: surgical removal of the affected eye, which may be necessary in severe cases where vision cannot be restored or pain cannot be managed.
  11. Brimonidine: a medication that reduces intraocular pressure by decreasing the production of fluid in the eye and increasing the outflow of fluid.
  12. Dorzolamide: a medication that reduces intraocular pressure by decreasing the production of fluid in the eye.
  13. Latanoprost: a medication that reduces intraocular pressure by increasing the outflow of fluid from the eye.
  14. Trabeculectomy: a surgical procedure that creates a new drainage pathway for fluid to leave the eye and reduce intraocular pressure.