Diagnosis and management of glaucoma

GLAUCOMA is one of the most common causes of blindness seen in small animal practice. It can be considered to be a complex of pathological events which arises as a result of prolonged elevation of the intraocular pressure. The optic nerve head and retina are particularly sensitive to elevated intraocular pressure and damage to these neural tissues may rapidly become irreversible. In addition, pain is often a significant feature of the condition and can be difficult to control. It is therefore of utmost importance that glaucoma is diagnosed in its early stages and that appropriate therapy is instituted if blindness and unnecessary discomfort are to be avoided.