Ophthalmology

Every thorough veterinarian performs an ocular(eye) exam as a part of an office visit. In addition, emergency ocular problems inevitably occur, including trauma. Both of these scenarios demonstrate the need for specific instruments, medications and drugs for the management of eye care. Certain breeds such as the Cocker Spaniel, Beagle, Basset Hound, Boston Terrier, and Husky, are predisposed to certain eye diseases such as glaucoma.

The ability to determine intraocular pressure (IOP) is necessary to diagnose, prognose, and treat glaucoma, a condition involving increased pressures in the eye which cause blindness if left untreated. That is why quick and accurate measurement of IOPs is extremely important – the TonoVet, imaged below, very gently measures ocular pressures without the need for excessive handling or local anesthetics.

Common Pet Eye Problems;

Eye problems are common with animals and particularly so, with dogs.  Animal eye care is nearly similar to human eye care in as much as most problems that affect human eyes also affect your pets. Symptoms of animal eye problems can vary and include swelling, discharge that changes colour from yellow to white or green and change in the consistency of the discharge from the eyes. The eyes may also appear painful with sensitivity to light and reluctance in opening. The eyelids may show discharge and crust and maybe stuck together in severe instances. While these are some of the symptoms, only a veterinary ophthalmologist can diagnose the exact problem and offer appropriate treatment. It is also important to understand that untreated and undiagnosed eye problems with your pet can potentially lead to blindness or vision impairment. Therefore, as a pet parent, you should not lose any time getting expert professional animal eye care.

Dry Eye: A very common pet eye concern;

Dye eye is an eye disorder impacting the glands responsible for producing the liquid in the tears. When your dog is affected by this disorder, adequate tear film for keeping the eyes well lubricated is not produced. Consequently, the canine suffers from thickened, dry, irritated, red or inflamed eyes. When this is not diagnosed by a veterinary ophthalmologist, it can lead to more serious consequences including blindness. In most instances, the cause remains unknown though it is believed to stem from an autoimmune condition. Symptoms of dry eye include inflamed eyelids, redness, protruding third eyelid, thick green or yellow discharge, dry and dull cornea, etc. Only an experienced veterinary ophthalmologist can pinpoint the cause and provide appropriate treatment. However, certain OTC products may be helpful in providing immediate lubrication for the eyes.

During an office visit, most veterinarians perform an eye examination. But emergency eye problems inevitably tend to occur and can include trauma. In both these situations, specific medications, instruments and drugs and needed to manage the eye care. Certain breeds like Boston terrier, Husky, Beagle, and Cocker Spaniel are also predisposed to some of the eye problems like glaucoma. To treat glaucoma, the veterinary ophthalmologist should be able to understand the IOP or intraocular pressure to help him diagnose and arrive at a prognosis. Glaucoma results from enhanced pressure in the eyes and can lead to blindness when left untreated. Special instruments are employed to measure the IOP and accuracy is very important in this process