Cataracts, glucoma

[hey3]

My dog is 16 and has recently went blind with cataracts. The vet said she may be close to having glaucoma. I live in a small town and have only 2 choices for vets.  I was given triple antibiotic with dex. Her eyes just seem to have gotten worse after the ointment. I realized I have two different types one with hydrocortisone. Her eyes look terrible. I called my vet and said the eyes were worse and was given optimmune. I don't really know what to do. She keeps her eyes squinted like they hurt. If she has gotten to the point of glaucoma shouldn't I get some meds for the glaucoma? Did my mix up in meds cause this? How much pain is she in? I appreciate any help.

thank you
best regards
gidget's owner

[peekawho]

It may not be hard to get to a veterinary school, depending where you live.  When our dog had bone cancer, I did a Google search for universities with veterinary programs.  It turned out to be the best decision, even though it was 3 hours away.

Our dog got 3+ years more of a happy life, when all of our local vets (I got 3 different opinions) said to put him down.  

It was reasonably priced, they often have payment programs, and you get excellent, state of the art care.  

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

There is not much difference between dexamethazone and hydrocortisone, since they are both steroids that act as anti-inflammatories, so you did not cause any additional problems by switching the medications.  

Are there any veterinary referral hospitals or veterinary schools in your state or within driving distance?  Because it really would be best to have a veterinary opthalmologist examine Gidget's eyes and prescribe the best treatment for her.  Glaucoma may or may not be painful.  But the average vet cannot just prescribe glucoma medications without a definitive diagnosis, and without the right medical equipment it is difficult to diagnose glucoma.

Optimmune is not for glucoma but is for the management of chronic keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), or dry eye.