When your pet is presented for an ophthalmic examination, several aspects of the examination are performed for every patient. Additional tests are employed when indicated.
The examination will begin with the ophthalmologist taking a detailed history of the pet, its eye and what the client noticed and what previous medications have been used, if known. All this information will be entered into the patient's record either on a computer or on a paper record.
Next, pupillary light reflexes are examined using a pen-light or a transilluminator. Doing this test tells if the retina is working and if all nerves are functioning normally.
In this scene, Dr. Hacker is shining the transilluminator into the eye of a cat to see the responses of the pupil.
What is done next depends on what is seen during the initial cursory examination of the eye. If there is an ocular discharge, a test for tear production, known as a Schirmer Tear Test, will be performed.
Schirmer tear test strips are used to determine amounts of tearing from the eyes.
The strips are applied to the eye and allowed to sit for one minute and the amount of wetting is measured on the scale on the strip or on the packet.
Next, the anterior portion of the eye, as well as the eyelids, third eyelid and conjunctiva are examined using a slit-lamp.
In this shot, Dr. Hacker uses a handheld slit-lamp to examine a feline patient.
If a defect in the cornea is suspected, fluorescein stain can be applied to the eye and the eye will be examined using a blue light to detect retained stain.
In this photo, the white arrow indicates the up-take of the fluorescein stain. The resulting area "glows" green when stimulated with a blue light.
Occasionally, another stain, Rose Bengal, will be used to indicate damaged epithelial cells and not a loss of cells.
Next, the pressure within the eye will be determined to check for glaucoma.
Here, Sharon is using a Tonopen-XL to acquire the intraocular pressure in Yoda.
If necessary or indicated from previous tests, gonioscopy will be performed by applying a thick lens to the cornea and examining the area where fluid drains from the eye.
This is a normal iridocorneal cleft (as indicated by the white arrow) and the patient has normal eyes.
Next, dilating medication is applied to the eyes and the patient will wait for about 20-30 minutes whilst the eyes dilate for fundus examination.
Once the eyes have dilated, examination of the retina, lens and vitreous can be performed using a hand lens.
Using a hand lens and the indirect ophthalmoscope, Yoda's fundus is examined.
Finally, the results of the examination are recorded in the patient's record, the client is informed of all findings and any problem areas are discussed.
Have any questions on this subject? Contact
Dennis Hacker via E-mail:
Copyright © 2000 * Animal Eye Specialists, El Cerrito, CA. * All Rights Reserved Photographs courtesy of Joan Balzarini. Thanks, Joan!
Return to Home Page |
Top of Page |
Who are we? |
Directions to our clinic |
Handout Index |