The ophthalmology service at CARE is focused on treating eye diseases in dogs and cats to restore vision and prevent painful eye conditions.
Just like people develop eye problems, animals suffer many of the same diseases that can threaten vision and cause pain. Conditions such as corneal ulcers, glaucoma, cataracts, eyelid disorders, dry eye and retinal detachments are just some of the diseases commonly seen in dogs and cats. Veterinary ophthalmologists at CARE use the latest technology and equipment to diagnose your pet’s problem. We then create a treatment plan to improve or restore vision and resolve any pain.
Treatment of ophthalmic diseases typically involve medical therapy or surgery. At CARE, we understand that it can be very emotional to watch your pet experience eye pain or vision loss. We also understand that seeing a “doggy eye doctor” can be a scary thought. Our job as veterinary ophthalmologists is to make the experience comfortable for your pet and informative and stress-free for you.
Many medical procedures can be performed in the exam room while owners wait, while other procedures may require anesthesia for surgery. Procedures and surgeries offered with the ophthalmology service at CARE include:
- Phacoemulsification (ultrasonic removal) of cataracts with artificial lens placement
- Laser and valve procedures for glaucoma
- Laser and surgical removal of eyelid tumors
- Correction of eyelid abnormalities
- Permanent correction of eyelash and abnormal hair growths
- Resolution of non-healing corneal ulcers
- Correction of cherry eye conditions
- Artificial eye placement for blind/painful eyes
Our goal at CARE is to offer the best treatment options available to provide comfort, preserve vision and maintain a good long-term quality of life. We want our pets to see us just as well as we see them!
Recent Ophthalmology Blog Posts
Adjusting To Your Pet’s Blindness
The thought of our pets going blind is sad and scary. We hate to think of our dogs or cats having a reduced quality of life in any way. However, with proper at-home care, most animals adjust very well to blindness and maintain a great quality of life....
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Horner’s Syndrome
Horner’s Syndrome is a common neurological disorder that affects the eye. A combination of signs can occur caused by the disruption of a nerve pathway from the brain to the eye and surrounding structures on one side of the body. Causes Most commonly, we do...
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SOLAR ECLIPSE: The Effects It May Have On Our Pets’ Vision
On the rare occasions when a solar eclipse occurs, we are all taught: "Don't stare directly at the sun!" The simple reason for this is that the exposure of our eyes to the sun for a prolonged period of time can cause harmful and irreversible damage to the retina. The...
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The Truth About Vision: What Your Pets Can Actually See
August is National Eye Exam Month, so I wanted to take the opportunity to address some of the questions I’m commonly asked as a veterinary ophthalmologist. “Do dogs see in color?” “Why can my dog / cat see so well at night?” “Can dogs watch TV?” “Do dogs...
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On Service Dog Eye Exam Month, A Story About Ava And DAPHNE
Ava Smith is on an uncertain journey. She is 13 years old and lives in Cornelius. Just 18 months ago, she was a national champion show horse rider. Now she is in a wheelchair, afflicted by a mysterious ailment that has left her unable to use her legs. That journey,...
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Some Clear-Eyed Advice About Cataracts And Pets
Did you know that dogs and cats can develop many of the same eye problems as people? From dry eye to glaucoma, these issues need to be treated properly with pets – just as with us – to save them from pain, vision loss and blindness. Cataracts are one of the most...
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