Glaucoma in cats causes dangerously elevated eye pressure that destroys the optic nerve. Most have secondary glaucoma from uveitis or intraocular tumors. Pressure-control medications cost $50-$150/month. Primary glaucoma is rare in cats. Intraocular melanoma-the most common intraocular tumor in cats-requires early enucleation to prevent metastasis.
What Causes Glaucoma in Cats
Primary glaucoma is rare in cats. Secondary: uveitis (FIV, FIP, toxoplasmosis, FHV-1, or lymphoma), intraocular melanoma, lens luxation, iris prolapse. Elevated pressure (>25 mmHg) rapidly damages optic nerve and retina.
Secondary to uveitis or intraocular tumor
Symptoms Often Subtle in Cats
Cats hide pain well-symptoms subtle until severe. Signs: fixed dilated pupil unresponsive to light, corneal cloudiness, enlarged globe (buphthalmos), lethargy, reduced appetite. Red inflamed eyes suggest concurrent uveitis. Blindness may go unnoticed in indoor cats.
Dilated unresponsive pupil-first noticed sign
Diagnosis $200-$500
Tonometry (handheld tonometer, $50-$100): Normal IOP in cats 15-25 mmHg; >25 mmHg abnormal; >30 mmHg urgent. Gonioscopy assesses drainage angle. Ocular ultrasound ($150-$300) evaluates intraocular masses. Anterior segment exam for uveitis. Systemic workup: blood panel, FIV/FeLV testing ($100-$200).
Tonometry is key diagnostic test
Treatment $50-$150/Month
Topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (dorzolamide, $30-$60/month), beta-blockers (timolol, $15-$30/month), or prostaglandin analogs (latanoprost-use cautiously in cats). Treat underlying uveitis with corticosteroids or NSAIDs. Intraocular melanoma: enucleation ($800-$1,500) prevents metastasis (~20% of cats). Pain-relieving enucleation for blind eyes: $800-$1,500.
$50-$150/month drops or $800-$1,500 enucleation
Total Cost Variable
Medical management: $600-$1,500/year for drops and monitoring. Enucleation: $800-$1,500 one-time. Surgical shunt: $1,500-$3,000.
Breed Risk Siamese, Burmese
Prognosis Guarded
Vision preservation is difficult once IOP is severely elevated. Goal is often pain control and preventing the second eye from being affected. Secondary glaucoma prognosis depends on underlying cause.
Monitoring
Annual IOP measurement for at-risk breeds (Siamese, Burmese). Monitor both eyes - second eye involvement in primary glaucoma is common. Regular fundic exams detect early optic nerve damage.
The Real Cost
$900typical annual cost
Diagnosis + first year of medical management.
Diagnosis $200-$500
Annual medications $600-$1,500
Enucleation (if needed) $800-$1,500
Red flags
Insurance Traps
Glaucoma is a chronic condition - understanding how insurance handles it matters.
Coverage Basics Coverage
Glaucoma is covered by most accident and illness policies as an illness. Coverage includes tonometry, diagnostics, medications, and surgery (enucleation if medically indicated). If uveitis is underlying cause, both conditions covered. Enucleation to prevent melanoma metastasis is medically necessary and typically covered.
Uveitis Pre-existing Trap Pre-existing
Any documented uveitis, eye inflammation, or chronic eye issues before enrollment means secondary glaucoma may be denied as pre-existing. FIV-positive cats are higher uveitis risk-documented positive FIV status plus later glaucoma creates grounds for denial.
Chronic Condition Exclusion Exclusion
Glaucoma requires lifelong management-monthly drops, regular pressure checks, periodic ophthalmology visits. Some policies have lifetime or annual per-condition limits capping coverage for ongoing chronic conditions. Verify no per-condition cap cuts off coverage after first year.
Intraocular Melanoma Coverage Cancer
When glaucoma is caused by intraocular melanoma, it becomes a cancer claim. Most cover cancer treatment including enucleation. However, cancer-specific waiting periods (up to 30 days) and cancer sub-limits may apply. Confirm cancer coverage before melanoma diagnosis.
Common Questions
Real answers about glaucoma diagnosis, treatment, and insurance coverage.
What causes glaucoma in cats?
Primary (inherited) glaucoma is uncommon in cats. Most is secondary-caused by conditions blocking aqueous humor drainage. Common causes: uveitis (from FIV, FIP, toxoplasmosis, FHV-1) and intraocular melanoma (iris tumor blocking drainage). Lens luxation and iris prolapse less common.
What are the signs of glaucoma in cats?
Fixed dilated pupil unresponsive to light is often first sign. Other symptoms: corneal cloudiness, eye pain (squinting, reduced appetite), reduced visual responses, enlarged globe (buphthalmos). Cats hide pain well-condition can be advanced before noticed. Annual tonometry important for early detection.
What is intraocular melanoma in cats?
Most common primary intraocular tumor in cats. Starts flat, brown-black iris discoloration, spreads slowly. Unlike humans, metastasizes in ~20% of cats (liver, lungs, lymph nodes). Early enucleation when confined prevents metastasis. Iris "freckles" monitored every 3-6 months for growth.
How is glaucoma treated in cats?
Topical drops: carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (dorzolamide), beta-blockers (timolol), or prostaglandin analogs. Treat underlying uveitis with anti-inflammatory drops or systemic medication. Blind/painful eyes or intraocular melanoma: enucleation (eye removal) recommended. Cats adapt well to one eye.
Will my cat go blind from glaucoma?
Vision preservation possible with early diagnosis and aggressive management. Secondary feline glaucoma often progresses despite treatment-prognosis for vision is guarded. Many cats blind in affected eye by diagnosis. Priority: pain control and preserving second eye. Cats adjust to monocular vision.
What is enucleation and how much does it cost?
Surgical eye removal. Recommended when: eye blind and painful, intraocular melanoma present (prevent metastasis), severe trauma destroys eye. Costs $800-$1,500, general anesthesia, 10-14 day recovery. Eyelids sutured closed. Quality of life improves dramatically after removing painful eye.
Which cat breeds are most prone to glaucoma?
Siamese and Burmese have highest rates of primary glaucoma. Any cat with uveitis history-FIV, FIP, toxoplasmosis, herpesvirus-at elevated risk for secondary glaucoma. Older cats at higher risk for intraocular melanoma. Annual tonometry recommended for Siamese/Burmese over age 6.
Does pet insurance cover glaucoma treatment in cats?
Most accident and illness policies cover glaucoma-medications, monitoring, enucleation. Coverage traps: (1) Pre-existing if uveitis documented before enrollment; (2) FIV-positive cats may face uveitis exclusions; (3) Cancer terms apply if melanoma causes glaucoma; (4) Chronic care may hit per-condition or annual limits.
My mother-in-law's boxer. Problem. $1,200 in tests, no answers. Another vet solved it with $8 pills. When you're scared, you'll pay anything - and some vets price accordingly. So I built what I couldn't find: real costs, real exclusions, plain language. Not selling policies.
Sources
Research and data used to compile this profile.