Surgical treatment of glaucoma in dogs: comparison between cyclodestruction and drainage implants

Abstract

The aim of this article was to carry out a literature review on the surgical management of glaucoma in dogs, focusing on the techniques of cyclodestruction and drainage implants, analyzing their efficacy, safety and impact on patients' quality of life. The search was conducted in the Google Scholar, Scopus and Web of Science databases, using the terms “glaucoma in dogs”, “cyclodestruction”, “drainage implants” and “surgical treatment of glaucoma”. Priority was given to studies published in the last 20 years, as well as classic references that are fundamental to understanding the disease and its therapeutic approaches. The review revealed that glaucoma is a serious eye condition, marked by an increase in intraocular pressure (IOP), and is one of the main causes of blindness in pets. Cyclodestruction, among the techniques analyzed, proved to be effective in lowering IOP in blind and painful eyes. It excelled in providing instant pain relief, despite being restricted by problems such as ocular hypotonia and chronic inflammation. On the other hand, drainage devices, such as Ahmed valves, have shown greater efficacy in the continuous control of IOP in eyes with visual potential, with fewer complications such as peri-implant fibrosis and device displacement. Recent advances in biomaterials and surgical technologies have increased the effectiveness of these two strategies, with an emphasis on improving less invasive methods and less invasive materials. It is therefore concluded that both cyclodestruction and drainage implants are essential interventions in the management of glaucoma in dogs, with the choice of technique depending on the stage of the disease and clinical objectives, while awareness of early diagnosis and advances in minimally invasive technologies remain fundamental for the health and quality of life of animals.