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Pet Points: Pets' eye problems require expert care
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LIVING / PETS
Pet Points: Pets' eye problems require expert care
Saturday, June 25, 2011
By Lawrence Gerson, V.M.D.
One of the best aspects of being a veterinarian is that every day is different. We practice veterinary medicine on a variety of patients and
perform diagnostics, treatments and surgeries over a wide spectrum. We might start the day with a 100-pound show dog and then see a
1-pound abandoned kitten.
However, one of the most frustrating aspects of my profession is that we see so many different components of veterinary medicine it is
difficult to attempt to be an expert on every subject.
One of the best examples of our frustration is veterinary ophthalmology. Diagnosing and treating eye disease in veterinary medicine is so
specialized that we often turn to a board certified veterinary ophthalmologist. With years of advanced additional training focused on the
animal eye, these specialists have the skills and equipment needed for proper diagnostics and treatment of animal eye disease.
Dr. Lawrence Bagley is the owner of the Animal Eye Clinic of Pittsburgh in the North Hills. Along with Dr. Rachel Keller and Dr. Michael
Finn, he treats a variety of ophthalmic diseases of animals. Common problems they see are cataracts, glaucoma, corneal ulcers and retinal
diseases that can lead to decreased or complete vision loss.
The veterinary eye specialist uses equipment not usually available in a typical veterinary office. One such instrument is the slit lamp
biomicroscope. This ophthalmic instrument is used to perform a detailed ophthalmic exam of the ocular surface and anterior segment
(front part) of the eye. The slit lamp allows the eye specialist to visualize the eye anatomy with a very thin beam of light and in fine detail
identify minute abnormalities not visualized otherwise.
To surgically remove a cataract, the eye specialist uses a device called a phacoemulsification unit. This unit is often the same equipment
used by medical doctors to perform cataract surgery in humans. The unit uses ultrasound to break up the cataract and then aspirates the
remaining cataract fragments.
Once the cataract is removed, an artificial lens can be implanted into the eye to restore proper focusing and clarity.
Much of what an animal eye specialist does requires magnification to perform detailed eye exams and surgery. An operating microscope is
often required to perform surgery on very delicate ocular structures.
There are many different ocular problems that are genetic in origin.
Inherited cataracts are common in many breeds, including Labradors and golden retrievers, poodles, cocker spaniels, Boston terriers,
bichons and numerous other breeds. In many terrier breeds, lens luxations (dislocations) are common.
Primary or inherited glaucoma (high eye pressure) is a common disease affecting many breeds and without proper treatment can be painful
and cause blindness. With new advancements, this devastating disease can be controlled and vision preserved in animals.
Other genetic vision-threatening diseases include eye lid abnormalities, progressive retinal atrophy, collie eye anomaly and corneal
disease. The veterinary ophthalmologist is able to identify and successfully treat these diseases early in the course of the disease.
With continued demands from the pet owning public, the field of veterinary medicine is evolving to a higher standard and provides relief
to our patients and their owners.
Lawrence Gerson is a veterinarian and founder of the Point Breeze Veterinary Clinic. This column appears biweekly. The intent of this column is to educate pet owners. Consultation with a veterinarian is necessary to diagnose
and treat individual pets. If you have a question you'd like addressed in Pet Points, email [email protected]. Please include your name and municipality or neighborhood.
First published on June 25, 2011 at 12:00 am
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