NOW INTRODUCING - Tonometry at AAH
Red eye? Now what? Angelina Animal Hospital can perform Intraocular Pressure (IOP) measuring.
Redness of the eye is a very common presenting sign in animals with eye problems of various types. Additional findings can help in making the diagnosis. Glaucoma and uveitis are both potentially blinding conditions that are not uncommon in dogs and cats. A thorough eye examination, including tonometry, enables prompt recognition of these conditions.
Importance of Checking the Eye Pressure -
Unfortunately, many of the early glaucomatous changes to a pet’s eye are not visible by the owners. The only way to truly diagnose glaucoma is to measure the pressure inside of the eye. This can easily be performed by your veterinarian at Angelina Animal Hospital using the Icare TONOVET tonometer. The TONOVET allows for an easy, non-painful, and accurate evaluation of the pressure within your pet’s eye.
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is defined as increased pressure inside the eye. The eye has a normal pressure that it maintains, which is typically around 10-25 mmHg. This pressure allows all the structures inside of the eye to function normally without interruption. If the pressure increases above this level for an extended period of time, the high pressure can damage the structures inside of the eye, resulting in permanent blindness.
How Glaucoma Develops -
The eye operates in a similar fashion to a bathroom sink: fluid is produced by special cells inside the eye and then the fluid exits the eye through a drainage area. Glaucoma develops when the “drain” of the eye ceases to function and fluid builds up inside the eye. This high pressure is called glaucoma. Glaucoma can be a very serious condition in your pet’s eye. The high pressure leads to compression and damage of nerves and blood vessels. If the pressure remains high for an extended period of time, this can result in pain and total blindness.
