A veterinary ophthalmologist is a veterinarian with advanced specialist training in diagnosing and treating eye diseases in animals, including medical and surgical care. The European College of Veterinary Ophthalmology provides the most advanced training, veterinary ophthalmologists passing the College’s Board Exam are called Diplomates ECVO. A list of specalists is found here: savo-tieraerzte.ch .

If your pet has red eyes, squinting, discharge, cloudiness, vision loss, eye pain, or an eye injury, a veterinary consultation is recommended. In case of severe symptoms of acute onset or chronic persistance an ophthalmology consultation may be useful.

Sudden blindness, severe pain, trauma, bleeding, a protruding eye, or sudden cloudiness require urgent veterinary attention.

There are several transparent structures in a globe which can become cloudy due to different reasons (cornea, aqueous humor, lens, vitreous body). Common causes include cataracts, glaucoma, corneal disease, inflammation, and age-related changes.

Cataracts are clouding of the lens that can impair vision and may lead to blindness. Surgery may restore vision in suitable candidates. The surgical procedure is very similar to the surgery in humans.

Glaucoma is defined by an increased pressure inside the eye that can cause pain and permanent vision loss if untreated. Animals often show general discomfort or decreased appetite and not necessarily eye pain.

Signs include bumping into objects, difficulty on stairs, hesitation, and behavioural changes. Pay attention if symptoms get worse in dark or bright light conditions.

Almost all problems of the eye lead to an increase in tearing. Excessive tearing may result from irritation, infection, inflammation, ulcers, or drainage problems.

All eye injuries should be examined by a veterinarian because some can worsen quickly and threaten vision. If symptoms last longer than one day, a veterinarian should be consulted. Black tea is not ideal to rinse an eye. It might lead to a blood vessel constriction, but does not aid in healing.

The examination typically includes vision testing, eye pressure measurement, and evaluation of the front and back of the eye. A portable microscope (slitlamp), light sources and different lenses are often used by veterinary ophthalmologists. The examination is not painful and not particularly stressful for the animals. Pupil-dilating drops are commonly used and may temporarily affect vision.

Costs vary depending on the condition and required diagnostic tests. Please call the specific practice you are planning to visit to get an estimate.

Costs vary depending on the patient, pre-operative testing, surgery, and follow-up care. When scheduling a first visit, each animal will be evaluated individually and you will receive a cost estimate for surgery.

Apply the medication without touching the eye and follow your veterinarian's instructions carefully. It is often easiest to give eyedrops lifting the head of the animal from behind, pull the upper lid up if necessary and apply drops or ointment to the upper lid margin. Please note that all medication should be given with at least 5-10 minutes interval. Ointments are given last.

Direct appointments are possible, although referrals can be helpful to have access to the examination/treatment history of the animal. You can find a list of veterinary ophthalmologists in Switzerland here: savo-tieraerzte.ch .

Urgent examination is recommended for sudden blindness, signs of high intraocular pressure, severe pain, trauma, bleeding, or chemical injuries.

Yes. Suitable candidates undergo comprehensive evaluation before surgery. Cataract surgeries will be performed at Ennetseeklinik, Hünenberg. The clinic setting provides the safest surrounding for such a procedure.

Appointments can be arranged through the practice. A list of veterinary ophthalmologists is found here: savo-tieraerzte.ch.

Most initial consultations take approximately 30 minutes.

You can find a list of specialists qualified to perform the exam here: savo-tieraerzte.ch. Please make sure that you have registered your animal online in the ECVO platform: ecvo.origin.no It is recommend to arrive about 10 Min prior to the appointment as most animals have their pupils dilated in the waiting area. If your dog is anxious it might be helpful to practice eye drop application at home with a tear substitute of your choice. If your animals requires a gonioscopy (certain breeds, check with breeding club), the gonioscopy will take place before the pupils are dilated.