Glaucoma is a condition that requires life-long monitoring and treatment in dogs. In most cases, the condition is initially managed with a combination of medicating eye drops, aiming to maintain the pressure in the normal range, but surgical procedures can also be considered for the right candidates, either to treat glaucoma in dogs or to treat the complications of end-stage glaucoma in dogs.
When Is Glaucoma Surgery Recommended?
Surgical treatment or procedures for glaucoma in dogs can be employed as a preventative measure for cases we suspect a predisposition to develop glaucoma, for the treatment of cases where the medicating drops are failing to reduce the pressure in the eye and the risk of sight loss is high or as palliative option once all other treatment options have not been proven successful.
Types of Glaucoma Surgery for Pets
There are a few different surgical options for glaucoma treatment in dogs, and the choice of surgical options depends and relies on a few factors, such as the level of pressure increase when your dog is diagnosed with glaucoma, and previous treatment for glaucoma, if your dog is already blind from complications of glaucoma and if your dog is in pain or not.
The earliest surgical intervention, usually when glaucoma has not developed yet in your dog’s eye, is a laser procedure offered at our clinic, called Micropulse Transscleral Cyclophotocoagulation (MP-TSCPC).
This procedure is performed under anaesthesia in most cases and is based on delivery of energy levels to the part of the eye responsible for production of fluid in the eye.
In cases where the pressure is your dog’s eye is increasing, and topical medication or laser treatments are failing to address the problem; placement of a shunt tube (glaucoma shunt) can re-direct part of the fluid of the eye out of the eye and help to actively reduce the pressure in the eye. This is a surgical procedure performed under general anaesthesia.
Finally, if your dog is suffering from end-stage glaucoma which has already caused irreversible blindness and we are concerned regarding ongoing pain and discomfort, surgical removal of the eye (a procedure called enucleation) aims to alleviate their pain and prevent future complications such as accidental injury to the eye or development of corneal ulcers. This is a last resort surgical procedure performed under anaesthesia.
What Happens Before Surgery (Pre-Operative Process)?
Prior to the surgery your dog will undergo a thorough examination with one of our ophthalmologists and undergo common glaucoma tests to establish a correct diagnosis and identify the extent of the problem in your dog’s eyes.
Following that, and assuming surgery is required, your dog will be admitted to our clinic. In some cases, pre-operative tests such as auscultation of the heart and lungs/chest while in some cases performing a blood test may be recommended – especially in older or geriatric patients – to ensure your dog is fit and healthy to undergo a surgical procedure.
What to Expect on the Day of Surgery
On the day of surgery, your dog will need to stay at our clinic, in most cases for a few hours, to monitor their post-operative progress, ensure there are no complications following the general anaesthetic and the pressure in the eye remains normal.
At the end of the procedure, one of our ophthalmologists, nurses or client care team members will contact you with an update and arrange a time for your pet to be discharged at home.
Post-Surgery Recovery & Aftercare
All our surgical cases receive a comprehensive printout discharge sheet which includes the diagnosis of the condition, details about the surgery performed, aftercare instructions (such as walking, feeding and possible restrictions), medication instructions and a timeframe for the next review appointment at our clinic to monitor your dog’s progress.
Why Choose Vet Eye Care for Glaucoma Surgery
We are experienced specialists in the field of ophthalmology and compassionate with our approach and treatment.
Vet Eye Care is proud to continuously invest in equipment and training of our specialists to be able to be at the forefront of veterinary medicine. Rest assured that your dog is in safe hands under our care.