Glaucoma is a condition where the intraocular pressure inside the eye rises above the normal level and which will cause blindness of the eye over time due to retinal and optic nerve damage. Primary glaucoma (there is no underlying ocular condition causing the rise in intraocular pressure) has been considered a rather rare condition in cats and is being investigated in some purebred cats, such as Burmese and Siamese cats. More often, glaucoma in the cat is secondary to an underlying ocular disease, such as chronic inflammation, undetected lens injury or intraocular neoplasia. The eye will change colour over time and may become more cloudy and bigger in size. The pupil may be permanently enlarged. However, because many cats do not show symptoms of pain, particularly in earlier stages, glaucoma in cats is often overlooked. Anti-glaucoma medications may help to lower the intraocular pressure, but depending on the severity of the underlying condition and if vision is still present, the eye may need to be removed.
