Ophthalmic Examination in Pets
Pet ophthalmic examinations are important for a number of reasons, including the assessment and maintenance of the animals’ general health and well-being. Animal ophthalmic examinations are crucial for the following main reasons:
- Early detection of diseases:
Animals, like humans, can suffer from various eye problems and an early detection of these conditions allows for prompt intervention and treatment, which can prevent further progression and improve the chances of a positive outcome.
- Monitor systemic health:
Ocular changes can be indicative of underlying systemic health issues. Ophthalmic abnormalities can be related to neurologic diseases, metabolic (diabetes), cardiovascular diseases (hypertension) and many more,…
- Assessing vision and ocular function:
For an animal to be healthy overall, vision is essential. When an animal experiences discomfort in their eyes or vision, they may react by changing their behaviour. To properly address and determine the cause of these changes, an ocular examination can be helpful.
What is included in an ophthalmic examination?
The veterinarian will examine the anterior (front) part of the eye which includes the eyelids, cornea, conjunctivae, etc. and the posterior (back) park including the lens and the optic nerve function that is connected directly with the brain which is only visible with specific ocular tools.
Tears production and corneal integrity will be checked as well for any dysregulation.
When should I take my pet to see an ophthalmologist?
Signs of pain are: increased tear production, photophobia and eye twitching. When these signs are noted, your pet needs an urgent ocular examination.
Change in the colour, shape and position of any part of the eye are a sign that the eye should be checked by a specialist.
In summary, the eye is a very sensitive organ and eyes abnormalities can reflect more than just an eye problem. Ocular diseases can develop rapidly, therefore consulting an ophthalmologist never an ocular change is noted is crucial.
Written by: Dr. Marie Therese Alkassis, ABVC Veterinarian
