1- What does veterinary ophthalmology consist of? why OV?
It is an emerging specialty with high demand globally. Every day social awareness grows more about the importance of vision in animal health and quality of life. This applies to several areas, not only in small animals where the pet is completely integrated into the family nucleus, in horses, other large and exotic animals as well. The discipline also grew a lot in technology and scientific advances, today eyes that were previously lost can be saved. From reconstructive surgeries, corneal transplants, amniotic membrane grafts, lens surgery, etc.
When I started my career at UNCPBA I always knew that I wanted to dedicate myself to reproductive biotechnologies like my father. Everything changed one day in the field when my dog, a black Labrador, stuck a cow needle in his eye, in the middle of a work accident. I was in my fourth year of veterinary medicine, we were far from everything and we had no attention for Bartolo. That made me embark on a race to try to save my dog’s eye on my own. I feel like that was the beginning of everything that happened later.
2- What are the most common eye diseases in animals?
There are pathologies associated with some species, even some breeds. There is a high predisposition associated in many cases with its anatomical conformation or its genetic load. For example, in cats the appearance of corneal sequestration or agenesis of the upper eyelid (coloboma) is very common, whereas it would be rare to see a sequestration in dogs. It is very common to see prolapses of the third eyelid gland and the appearance of cataracts in poodles in brachiocephalic dog breeds, such as bulldogs.
3- Is there a difference with respect to human ophthalmology?
Although we have many things in common and most of the equipment and instruments we use are from human medicine, there are logical differences since we are working with different species, with anatomical and physiological variations that are important to take into account.
There are drugs that we use in humans that generate toxicity in animals, for example. Different infectious agents even come into play between species. This applies within veterinary medicine as well, it would be a mistake to think of a cat as a small dog.
4- What diagnostic procedures are used?
In a routine consultation, biomicroscopy, fundus and ocular tonometry, among others, are performed. We also rely heavily on complementary studies such as ultrasounds, MRIs and retinal studies to reach diagnoses.
5- Recommendations for the care of our animals
Clean secretions with warm water and not tea.
When to consult with an ophthalmologist: in the event of an increase in eye secretions (lageas), excessive tearing, increased blinking, blepharospasm (keeping one eye closed), changes in eye color and size, failures in ambulation such as collide with objects.
Dr. Alan Vater
Veterinary Ophthalmologist MN 10283
Contact: 11-6006-0254
Networks: Instagram @oftalmovet.vater
LinkedIn: Alan Vater
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by CEDOC