We love Ophthalmology - An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

Curious about Veterinary Ophthalmology?

Veterinary Ophthalmologists have specialized training to diagnose and treat (medically & surgically) diseases of the eye and surrounding structures.

While your pet’s GP can diagnose and treat most routine eye conditions, we are extremely fortunate in the lower mainland to have a few exceptional DACVOs to help with more complex issues like entropion, glaucoma, cherry eye, cataracts, corneal ulcers, detached retinas, etc.

Check out Baker’s 2nd visit with Dr. Jacqueline Pearce DVM, DACVO, and Registered Veterinary Technologists Anna and Irene, from Vancouver Animal Emergency & Referral Centre.

Here Irene is performing a Schirmer Tear Test where a strip of paper is folded and hooked over the lower eyelid. The tears then wick up the paper and the distance is measured in millimeters over the course of a minute. See the blue making it’s way up the paper? Normal range is 15-20

Yeah! Baker passed the test!

Here Baker is receiving some eye drops and a numbing agent in preparation for tonometry. Tonometry is a method to test eye pressure, in this case using the Tono-Pen.

At both visits Anna and Irene did an amazing job of balancing all the diagnostics they performed while making it extremely comfortable for Baker. Baker got a ton of treats and fear free handling while the skilled Vet Techs made completing all their tests look effortless.

Yeah! Baker doesn’t have glaucoma!

I also learned at this visit that you can have glaucoma without having diabetes so screening for glaucoma is important for all of us.

Here is Baker being examined by Dr. Pearce using a slit lamp biomicroscope. This allows the doctor to examine the structures at the front of the eye like the eyelids, conjunctiva, cornea, iris, lens etc.

Animal eye health may not always be top of mind but is extremely important. We are fortunate in the lower mainland to have some exceptional Veterinary Ophthalmologists who can expertly diagnose and treat eye issues early to prevent unnecessary discomfort and pain. In some cases, if eye injuries or diseases are left untreated they can even result in the need to surgically remove the eye.

Bakers eyes are looking much better after Dr. Pearce diagnosed and treated the issues he was having!