Ep 230: The Vet Eye Guy: The Challenges of Glaucoma, with Dr. Alex Sigmund - Part 2

The 'So You're A Vet... Now What?' Podcast

This week on "So You're a Vet, Now What?", host Dr. Moriah McCauley welcomes back Dr. Alex Sigmund, a.k.a The Vet Eye Guy, as they discuss primary glaucoma in small animals. Dr. Alex wants every veterinarian to be comfortable with the basics of ophthalmology to improve patient care and client understanding. Dr. Alex guides new grads through the process of identifying key signs of ocular conditions, in order to help you enhance your understanding and gain confidence in treating ocular diseases in your veterinary practice.

Dr. Moriah and Dr. Alex discuss the importance of early detection and intervention in glaucoma cases. By identifying glaucoma early on, veterinarians can implement treatment strategies to reduce intraocular pressure and prevent further damage to the optic nerve and retina. However, managing glaucoma offers many challenges, especially in cases where the disease has progressed significantly. In chronic or advanced cases of glaucoma, where vision loss is inevitable, the focus shifts towards providing pain management and considering other options to alleviate discomfort and prevent complications.

Dr. Alex stresses the importance of enucleation as a viable option for managing blind, painful eyes in dogs with glaucoma. It demonstrates that general practitioners can confidently perform enucleations with proper training and mentorship, offering a valuable service to patients in need of relief from eye discomfort.

Episode Outline

[00:02:47] Cocker spaniels and primary glaucoma.

[00:03:49] Glaucoma care in dogs.

[00:08:25] Secondary Glaucoma Diagnosis.

[00:11:25] Managing glaucoma in pets.

[00:16:03] Glaucoma as a terminal disease.

[00:17:27] Challenges of treating glaucoma.

[00:22:30] Enucleations in veterinary medicine.

[00:26:05] Managing glaucoma in pets.

[00:27:42] Zoo animals and Komodo dragons.

Episode Links

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