Your Monrovia Vet Offers Eye Pressure Monitoring for Pets

Tonometry is the measuring of an animal's eye pressure (intraocular pressure) to detect signs of glaucoma or other eye disorder. A handheld device called a tonometer is used by your veterinarian in Monrovia to evaluate IOP in dogs and cats. Certain pet breeds are prone to suffering glaucoma and/or eye inflammation (anterior uveitis). Siamese and Burmese cats are vulnerable to inherited (primary) glaucoma while Dalmations, Cocker Spaniels, Great Danes, Boston Terriers and Chow Chows tend to be diagnosed with secondary glaucoma more than other dog breeds.

What is Secondary Glaucoma?

Tonometry readings revealing higher than the normal intraocular pressure in pets means something is preventing eye fluids from draining normally. This creates an abnormal build-up of fluids in the eye that may cause deterioration of the optic nerve. If your Bradbury vet diagnoses your dog or cat with secondary glaucoma, it means your pet's eyes are suffering a previous condition that promotes the fluid accumulation and the onset of glaucoma. Uveitis, cancer, cataracts, retinal detachment or displacement of the eye's lens can all increase intraocular pressure and induce glaucoma.

Signs of Secondary Glaucoma in Pets

Cloudy corneas and bloodshot eyes may indicate possible glaucoma but these signs typically do not emerge until glaucoma is an advanced stage. Having your pet's eye pressure regular monitored by your vet in Bradbury is essential for detecting the onset of glaucoma so treatment can start as early as possible. Pet owners should be aware that animals naturally compensate for vision loss in one eye. Pets can be partially or completely blind in one eye and act like they have normal binocular vision.

How is Tonometry Performed?

Your Azusa veterinarian uses a tonometer device equipped with a tiny probe that makes quick and gentle contact with your pet's cornea. Measuring your pet's IOP is painless and does not even produce a corneal reflex in most animals. Although no sedation is required, your vet may numb your pet's eyeball with an anesthetic eye drop to help make the procedure as comfortable as possible.

Call Us Today To Schedule An Appointment to Measure Your Pets Eye Pressure!

If your pet has not had their eye pressure measured recently, schedule an appointment today with your Duarte vet at our Duarte Azusa Animal Hospital: 626-357-2251.