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!
Hospital Admit Guide
If your pet is admitted for hospitalization at CARE, please review our Hospital Admit Guide to help answer questions about your pet’s stay.
Our Ophthalmology Doctors
Vet Tech Profiles
Alexandra Poston, RVT
Ophthalmology Service Coordinator
Job responsibilities
Works closely with the doctor(s) and other service leads. She also is an intern mentor for her department. “As a previous intern at CARE, I try to understand where interns are coming from and make sure they have the information they need to leave our department well-rounded.”
Vet Tech education
Associate Degree from Tri-County Technical College in Pendleton, SC, and 5 years of biology at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Hometown
“I was born in Savannah and have lived in Macon, Atlanta, upstate rural New York, Memphis, Chattanooga, Seneca (SC), Rock Hill, Salisbury, and now live in Unionville.”
A lifelong love of animals
“I talked to them as a child in funny voices, trying to understand them. My pets included hamsters, gerbils, guineas, birds, and poodles (several standard and toy).” These days, her animal family includes Mason, a standard poodle (he’s the new guy and is 1.5-years-old); Juliet, a 12-year-old toy poodle (Alexandra rescued her at age 3); and a 2-year-old cat named Leonard.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
“I am a quarter Russian. My grandfather immigrated and became a Marine.”
What made you want to be a vet tech?
“I wanted to help animals and to understand why things are done the way they’re done. Being well-informed means that I can provide the best possible care for my patients.”
Her newest obsession
“I’ve become an Elvis fan. The new movie sparked my interest. I got a cut-out for my birthday from my Ophthalmology team!”
Originally posted as part of CARE’s celebration of National Veterinary Technician Week (Oct. 16-22, 2022).
Stories
Erin & Riley and the drive to save their sight
CARE Charlotte is celebrating its 7th anniversary by sharing seven stories of thriving patients. Erin and Riley are Cocker Spaniels and 11-year-old sisters. Dr. Josh Broadwater, who specializes in Ophthalmology.
According to Lynne Haddow, littermates Erin and Riley have had eye issues since they were five. When the Haddows moved to Hickory in 2016, Riley had lost one eye to glaucoma, and Erin, who is diabetic, had been referred to a clinic for cataract surgery. “Erin’s cataract surgery triggered glaucoma, and we were given two options,” says Lynne. “Let her go blind or drive to CARE, where you can get advanced treatment unavailable anywhere else for hundreds of miles.”
They immediately drove to Charlotte. Dr. Josh Broadwater examined Erin and discussed treatment options. The Haddows opted for surgery, the only way to preserve Erin’s vision. Pre-operative testing found additional complications. Erin’s bloodwork showed a potentially deadly platelet disorder but fortunately CARE has a broad spectrum of specialists, and Dr Broadwater was easily able to enlist the internal medicine service to help her. Once her blood disorder was treated Dr Broadwater performed a gonio implant and Endolaser Cyclophotocoagulation to save Erin’s vision. Internal medicine started managing Erin’s diabetes.
Riley was battling a glaucoma flare-up and a cataract in her one good eye. She had basically gone blind and was so depressed she stopped eating. Dr. Broadwater came to Riley’s rescue and successfully performed the same surgery Erin had.
Riley’s back to her spunky self, says Lynne. “We call her Miss Tippy Tap because that’s the happy sound she makes now that she can see where she’s going.” She’s also gaining weight. And Erin is still Erin, Lynne reports. “She’s into everything and full of energy and goes for a long walk every day. Not bad for almost 12 years old.”
The Haddows are grateful to have found CARE. “Our pups would have had very different lives if we had not been referred to, and so would we.”
In February of 2023 Riley and her owner passed away. We honor the devotion and love that Lynne and Riley shared.
Recent Ophthalmology Blog Posts
Watch Out for “Cherry Eye” When Your Dog’s (or Cat’s) Eyes Turn Red
Anybody with children knows red or pink eyes could mean conjunctivitis. This is a common bacterial infection treated with antibiotics or OTC remedies and isolation. But swelling and redness in the eyes of your dog – or, much less frequently, your cat – may mean...
Free Eye Exams: Giving Back to Service and Working Animals in May
We all want our pets to see as well as possible because it adds to their quality of life. However, there are dogs whose eyesight, along with training and dedication, directly contributes to the quality of life of people. Service animals allow individuals with a...
Cataracts in Cats and Dogs
Cataracts, a cloudy area in the lens of the eye, commonly causes blindness in dogs (and occasionally in cats). When functioning properly, the lens is the “M&M shaped” clear structure inside of the eye that focuses light on the retina. Causes of Cataracts Similar...
Glaucoma In Dogs: The Not-So-Silent Thief Of Sight
Glaucoma, a disease of the optic nerve, causes high pressure inside the eye. In dogs, glaucoma can develop extremely quickly and cause permanent vision loss if left untreated. Dogs find this condition quite painful. There are two types of glaucoma – primary and...
Dry Eye In Dogs
Did you know that dry eye, a common problem in people, also ails animals? It is, in fact, commonly diagnosed in dogs. Also known as KCS (Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca), dry eye occurs when the lacrimal gland and the third eyelid gland do not function properly to produce...
Giving Back To Service Animals: Free Eye Exams Throughout May
Pets fill so many people’s hearts with love and joy, while asking for very little in return. Even more amazingly, certain animals are able to provide services for people in need and, in turn, many people depend on service dogs for their daily routine. What Service...
