Pet Glaucoma Surgery in Greenville, SC
At Carolina Animal Eye, we provide advanced pet glaucoma surgery to relieve intraocular pressure, preserve vision, and improve your pet’s quality of life.
Advanced Surgical Options to Manage Glaucoma in Pets
Glaucoma is an eye disease caused by elevated pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure, or IOP), often due to impaired fluid drainage. If left untreated, this increased pressure can damage the optic nerve and retina, eventually leading to blindness.
Surgical intervention becomes necessary when medical therapies like eye drops are no longer effective or cannot control pressure consistently. At Carolina Animal Eye, we offer two primary surgical options to manage glaucoma:
Laser Cyclophotocoagulation (CPC)
This procedure uses a specialized laser to selectively treat the ciliary body (the part of the eye that produces fluid), reducing fluid production and lowering intraocular pressure.
Aqueous Shunt Placement
In this procedure, a tiny drainage device (shunt) is surgically implanted into the eye to allow fluid to exit and lower pressure.
Both procedures are performed under general anesthesia and tailored to your pet’s condition, stage of disease, and overall health.
When Is Pet Glaucoma Surgery Recommended?
Surgery may be recommended if:
- Eye pressure remains high despite medications
- Your pet is losing vision rapidly
- Glaucoma is present in one eye, and there is a risk to the other
- There is chronic eye pain or inflammation
- Other treatment options have failed
Early diagnosis and surgical treatment can help slow disease progression, preserve vision when possible, and relieve painful pressure.
Benefits of Glaucoma Surgery for Pets
- Reduces Pain and Discomfort – Lowering intraocular pressure helps relieve pressure-related pain and inflammation.
- May Preserve Vision – In early or moderate cases, surgery can slow disease progression and help retain functional vision.
- Improves Quality of Life – Pets with well-managed glaucoma experience better comfort, activity levels, and long-term well-being.
- Can Prevent or Delay Eye Removal – In some cases, timely surgery can help avoid enucleation (eye removal), especially when performed early.
What to Expect
Pre-Surgical Consultation
- Your pet will undergo a complete ophthalmic exam, tonometry (eye pressure measurement), and additional imaging to determine the best treatment option.
The Surgery
- Surgery is performed under general anesthesia. Most procedures are outpatient, and pets can return home the same day.
Aftercare & Follow-Up
- Post-operative care includes eye drops, oral medications, and follow-up visits to monitor healing and pressure control. Our team is here to provide ongoing support and adjustments as needed.
If your pet is living with glaucoma, timely surgical treatment can relieve pain and potentially preserve their vision. Don’t wait — speak with our specialists about whether pet glaucoma surgery is the right choice.