Ophthalmology

Diagnostic services

Ophthalmology is the field of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. In our patients, they can occur at any age and with any breed. Certain diseases like diabetes, tick fever and lymphoma can also cause ocular signs, hence a thorough eye examination is the key to successfully resolving a patient’s problem.

Your veterinarian may conduct several simple eye tests to assess your pet’s condition. A comprehensive eye exam begins with evaluating your pet’s vision. A specialised hand-held device called a slit lamp is used to evaluate the surface and deeper structures of the eye. The retina is evaluated using an ophthalmoscope (an instrument with a lens and light attached). Many common eye problems are diagnosed after a thorough eye exam, however in some cases, additional testing may be required, and some of these common tests include: 

• Schirmer Tear Test
  • A paper strip is used to check the pet’s tear production. This test is frequently used to diagnose and monitor dry eye (deficiency in tear production).
• Tonometry
  • Tonometry measures the amount of pressure within the eye. Glaucoma (elevated intraocular pressure) is a painful disease which causes blindness in many breeds of dogs.
• Fluorescein Stain
  • A dye that is applied to the cornea to highlight eye ulcers and allow visualisation of tear outflow through the tear ducts.

Therapeutic and surgical services

In many cases, a pet’s eye condition can be treated with eye drops, ointments and oral medications such as pain killers, anti-inflammatories and antibiotics. However, certain conditions may require surgical intervention for a more successful outcome, these include:

• Cataracts
• Corneal Ulcers that do not respond to eye drops
• Tumours of the eyeball and eyelids
• Eyelid Issues
  • Entropion (a condition in which the eyelid is rolled inward against the eyeball)
  • Ectropion (eversion of the eyelids)
  • Ectopic cilia (an eyelash that emerges from the underside of the eyelid and rubs against the eye whenever your pet blinks or sleeps)
• Cherry Eye (a prolapsed gland of the third eyelid)
• Luxated Lens
• Feline Corneal Sequestrum