Animal Diagnostic & Wellness Center

11816 N. 56th Street Temple Terrace, Fl. 33617

813-985-2889    

                          close to I-75,  University of South Florida, and New Tampa

board-certified specialist in dog and cat practice

      special interest in ferrets, rabbits, small mammals, and birds

 Glaucoma Screening

Glaucoma is a painful eye disease.  The problem begins with an increase in eye pressure which results in the eye becoming red, enlarged and very painful.  Corneal ulcers, scarring, and blindness are the end result.  The disease may be acute, happens suddenly, or may be chronic, happens slowly over time.  The chronic form often goes unnoticed by the owner because the pressure increases slowly, the eye may not appear enlarged, and the pet becomes used to the pain and does not display a lot of symptoms.  Just because your pet doesn’t' cry or whimper doesn't mean they don't hurt….most are very brave.

While all breeds of dogs and cats can develop glaucoma through an injury, some breeds have a genetic predisposition to acquiring glaucoma.  These are the patients that, if detected early, may be helped before they lose sight or become painful.  The breeds most commonly affected with glaucoma include:

A simple in-office test can be performed on most patients.  This consists of placing anesthetic drops on the eyes and measuring the pressure in each eye with an instrument called a Tonometer.  Most patients tolerate this painless procedure well.  Annual testing is recommended for all pets.      

               Glaucoma patient blind in left eye                                                    Eye pressure being evaluated

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