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Veterinary ophthalmologist measuring feline intraocular pressure with tonometer

Glaucoma in Cats: symptoms, treatment, cost and prognosis

  1. Facts & Vet costs
  2. The Real Cost
  3. Insurance Traps
  4. Common Questions
By Marcel Janik · Last updated Oct 14, 2026

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, so symptoms stay subtle until the problem is 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
Siamese and Burmese cats have higher reported rates of primary glaucoma. Any breed at risk for uveitis (FIV-positive, FIP-exposed) is at risk for secondary glaucoma.

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.
Veterinary ophthalmologist measuring feline intraocular pressure with tonometer

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 at higher risk of uveitis, and a documented positive FIV status plus later glaucoma gives the insurer 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. Make sure no per-condition cap cuts off coverage after the 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?
A fixed dilated pupil that doesn't respond to light is often the first sign. Other symptoms: corneal cloudiness, eye pain (squinting, reduced appetite), reduced visual responses, enlarged globe (buphthalmos). Cats hide pain well, so the condition can be advanced before you notice it. Annual tonometry important for early detection.
What is intraocular melanoma in cats?
Most common primary intraocular tumor in cats. It starts as a flat, brown-black patch on the iris and 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, so the prognosis for vision is guarded. Many cats are already blind in the affected eye by the time of 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. The eyelids are sutured closed. Quality of life improves dramatically once a painful eye is removed.
Which cat breeds are most prone to glaucoma?
Siamese and Burmese have highest rates of primary glaucoma. Any cat with a history of uveitis (FIV, FIP, toxoplasmosis, herpesvirus) is 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.

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Sources

Research and data used to compile this profile.

  1. 1 McLellan GJ, Miller PE. Feline glaucoma--a comprehensive review. Vet Ophthalmol. 2011;14 Suppl 1:15-29.
  2. 2 Wiggans KT, Reilly CM, Kass PH, Maggs DJ. Histologic and immunohistochemical predictors of clinical behavior for feline diffuse iris melanoma. Vet Ophthalmol. 2016;19 Suppl 1:44-55.