Ophthalmic

Our practice offers the following eye surgeries:

• Enucleation (removal) of the eye for severe glaucoma or cancer cases  
• Entropion surgery to prevent ocular damage from inward pointing eye lashes/eyelids
• Ectropion surgery to correct outward facing lower eyelids
• Eyelid tumour removal
• Cherry eye surgery to correct a protruding third eyelid in dogs
• Surgery to repair corneal ulcers (ulcers on the eye surface)
• Surgery to repair scratches across the eye (if severe)

We can also refer your pet to a specialist veterinary ophthalmologist for specialised procedures such as eye ultrasound, vision testing or cataract removal.

Eye Examination

Ophthalmic surgery is the specific area of pet care involving treatment of an animal’s eyes. For certain breeds, this service also involves the examination and certification of breeding dogs to verify their eyes are in good condition.

Your veterinarian will perform the following tests during your pet’s eye examination:

• Check for abnormal features of the eye and its surroundings (i.e. conjunctiva, 3rd eyelid).
• Menace, Dazzle, and Papillary Light Response (PLR) to check the normal functions of the eye are working.
• Schirmer tear test to check that your pet is producing enough tears to lubricate and provide nutrients to the eye.
• Fluorescein staining to check for corneal ulceration or injury.

Extra checks to investigate potential concerns can include:

• Check the nasolacrimal passage is clear to ensure that tears can come through without obstruction.
• Tonometry to check the pressure of the eye if there is concern about glaucoma or eye pressure.

Eye examinations require specific equipment, such as an ophthalmoscope (a magnifying light to look into the eye). 

Our veterinarians may also use a special dye called fluorescein (it glows a green/yellow colour under a UV light) to identify damage to the cornea (the clear layer at the front of the eye). 

Many eye conditions can be treated medically, however, specific conditions may require surgery.