What is a Veterinary Ophthalmologist?
A Veterinary Ophthalmologist obtains additional training beyond a general veterinarian. The education path is as follows:
- College/University (undergraduate study) – 4 years
- Veterinary School – 4 years
- Internship in a Veterinary Hospital – 1 year
- Residency in a Veterinary Ophthalmology Program – 3-4 years
- Successful completion of Credentials and successful completion of the Certifying Examination by The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists
Veterinary Ophthalmologists use instruments which are identical to those used in human ophthalmology, including the following:
- Slit-lamp biomicroscope, which illuminates and magnifies the front and interior of the eye with a beam of light
- Tonometer, an instrument used to measure the fluid pressure in the eye
- Binocular indirect ophthalmoscope, used to examine the back of the eye (vitreous and retina)
- Ophthalmic laser, which can be used to perform precise, delicate operations on the eye
- Cryosurgery device to freeze and destroy abnormal tissue or tumor cells
- Operating Microscope
- Ocular Ultrasound
- Electroretinogram for evaluating retinal function
- Phacoemulsification Machine – ultrasonic emulsification machine for removal of cataracts
What types of problems are seen by the Ophthalmologist?
- Dry Eye – the deficiency in the quality or quantity of tears lubricating the eye which causes constant pain from eye irritation, and a sandy or gritty sensation that, if untreated, can lead to scarring, pigmentation or ulceration of the cornea, and loss of vision
- Cataracts – opacification of the crystalline lens resulting in vision impairment
- Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the tissue that lines the eyelids)
- Distichiasis and trichiasis (extra or deviated eyelashes)
- Entropion (Eyelids turned in) & Ectropion (Eyelids turned out)
- Enucleation (eye removal)
- Evisceration removal of the contents of a blind, painful eye and placement of an intraocular spherical prosthesis
- Eyelid tumors
- Prolapse of the Gland of the 3rd eyelid (“Cherry” eye)
- Pannus (chronic superficial keratitis)
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (hereditary retinal degeneration resulting in progressive blindness)
- Ptosis (drooping upper lid)
- Retinal dysplasia – folding and/or thinning of the retina
- Scrolled 3rd eyelid cartilage (“Popped/flipped” Cartilage)
- Strabismus (eyes not facing same direction)
- Anisocoria (unequal pupils)
- Buphthalmos (enlarged eyeball)
What sorts of emergency problems do Veterinary Ophthalmologists treat?
- Glaucoma (excessive pressure inside eye globe)
- Hyphema (blood in the eye)
- Luxated lens (loosened or detached lens)
- Corneal laceration/ulceration
- Orbital abscess
- Proptosed globe (eye popped out)
- Uveitis (inflammation inside the eye)
- Exophthalmos (eye protruding from socket)
- Blindness, acute onset
- Keratitis (inflammation of the cornea)