What to Expect

What to expect at your pet’s eye appointment

When you get to the hospital, you will check in with the front desk. They will alert a client liaison, who will escort you to an examination room. You will then be greeted by an ophthalmology student who will take a history and begin the initial testing. You will be asked questions regarding your pet’s vision and comfort and also about his or her systemic health. It is helpful if you can provide a list of medications your pet is currently on or has received in the recent past. You will then meet an ophthalmology resident, who is a fully trained and licensed veterinarian pursuing advanced specialty training in eye diseases. He or she will make an assessment, briefly discuss their findings with you and then contact a faculty ophthalmologist to confirm findings and diagnosis and make a treatment plan.

An initial evaluation will involve several eye tests that will help us make a diagnosis and so that we have established baseline to compare progress over time. These tests may include measurement of tear production, the use of ocular stains to assess the integrity of the eye, and measurements of intraocular pressure. In some cases, it will be necessary to dilate the eyes to get a better look at the back of the eye (retina, optic nerve). Additional testing, blood work or imaging of your pet may be indicated and recommended depending upon the problem.  Ophthalmology exams are very thorough and can be time-consuming, so please prepare for a longer visit, typically 2-3 hours.

At the end of your consultation appointment, we will provide you with a written summary and instructions for the home care of your pet. After we have gone through these documents with you, the client liaison will return to complete your visit. If we prescribe medications for your pet, it will often take some time for these prescriptions to be processed and filled (just like a human pharmacy). We appreciate your patience with this step.

We take a team approach to your pet’s care to ensure that you receive as much insight from as many people as possible. This also allows our students and residents to learn from your pet so that they can become better veterinarians. Thank you for participating in this process and for your patience. Our goal is to provide your pet with the best care possible and you with excellent, compassionate service. We welcome any suggestions that may improve our service to you.

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