The glaucomas represent a group of diseases characterized by increased pressure within the eye. The high pressure eventually destroys the retina and optic disk (the spot where the optic nerve enters the eye). In horses, glaucomas may be underdiagnosed because testing of the pressure within the eye has not always been a part of ordinary equine examinations. Among horses, glaucoma appears most frequently in older animals, in the Appaloosa breed, or together with anterior uveitis or equine recurrent uveitis.
The early signs of glaucoma (slightly dilated pupils, mild redness of the eyes, or slight enlargement of the eyeball) are subtle and often go unnoticed by owners.
Once the pressure within the eye is significantly increased, signs include:
a dilated, unmoving or slow-moving pupil
redness in the white of the eyes
swelling and discoloration of the cornea
a firm eye globe
Prolonged increases of pressure within the eye can result in enlargement of the eyeball, displacement of the lens, and the appearance of lines within the cornea. Pain usually shows itself as behavioral changes and occasional pain around the eye.
There are various instruments a veterinarian can use to evaluate and manage glaucoma. The choice of medical or surgical (including laser) treatment or, most frequently, a combination of both, depends on the type of glaucoma present. Most glaucomas require longterm management.
For More Information
Also see professional content regarding glaucoma in animals.
