We Know: All About Animal Eyecare

What is animal eyecare?

Animal eye care is known as veterinary ophthalmology and includes the treatment of several different kinds of species. Specialists in this field can diagnose, treat and operate on the eyes of all types of animals, often restoring vision or saving the eye for the creature.

What is a veterinary ophthalmologist?

A veterinary ophthalmologist is a veterinarian that specializes in the treatment and care of the eyes of animals. They are certified by the American College of Veterinarian Ophthalmologists and undergo several years of training and internships to achieve doctorate status. There are currently around 200 veterinary ophthalmologists in the United States.

What types of species can a veterinary ophthalmologist treat?

Veterinary ophthalmologists are trained to treat the eyes of a wide variety of animals. In fact, being familiar with the specific conditions of each species is a part of what it takes to become qualified in the animal eye care field. While ophthalmologists have the ability to treat all animals, from dog to mouse, sometimes species-specific specialists are called in. This is especially true for horses, birds and reptiles.

What types of eye problems can animals have?

Animals can have many of the same eye problems, disorders and diseases as humans like dry eye, corneal ulcers, cataracts and glaucoma. Treatments are available for all of these conditions. Always bring your pet to the vet when you think there may be a problem. This will help increase the likelihood of your pet keeping his/her vision for a long time.

What are the symptoms of common animal eye problems?

If your pet exhibits any of the following symptoms of each disease, contact your vet right away.

Glaucoma: Eyes are bloodshot or cloudy, there's a loss of appetite or eyelids remain closed.
Dry eye: Eyes are red and cloudy and emit a thick discharge.
Corneal ulcer: A laceration or cut across the eye surface. You will usually be aware that there has been an injury to the eye.

How can I take care of my pet's eyes?

You can take care of your pet's eyes by knowing and understanding any conditions that are known to affect their species. If you notice any problems, be sure to monitor their condition for changes and make an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible. Until your appointment, clean away any discharge that may be present by wiping with a sterile cloth from inner corner to the outer corner of the eyes.