Veterinary Ophthalmology Study Notes

A comprehensive assessment of the eye and its structures.

A procedure performed on all animals presenting with eye problems.

Used to ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

External examination of the eye and its surroundings.

Evaluation of the eyelids, conjunctiva, cornea, iris, lens, and vitreous humor.

Assessing the eye's movements, pupils, and reflexes.

Special tools and techniques are used to visualize internal structures.

A detailed record of all findings and observations.

The information helps the veterinarian make a diagnosis and create a treatment plan.

Helping to identify and treat eye diseases in animals.

A condition where the eye does not produce enough tears, leading to dry and irritated eyes. It can progress to severe ulceration and even vision loss.

The outlook for severe cases of KCS is guarded, as it can cause significant damage to the eye, even after treatment.

Severe ulceration of the cornea in KCS, requiring surgical interventions like conjunctiva grafting and parotid duct transposition, which aim to restore tear production.

Chronic pigmentation in KCS that can impair vision, even after treatments like parotid duct transposition, which can lead to mineral deposition-related irritation and blepharitis.

Regular monitoring and good compliance with treatment are crucial to prevent complications and manage KCS effectively.

A common symptom of KCS that appears as thick, sticky mucus in the eye, adhering to the cornea.

A diagnostic test used to measure tear production, where a strip of filter paper is placed near the eye to absorb tears, with normal values ranging between 8 and 14 mm.

A condition that affects tear production and can contribute to KCS.

A condition where the eyelashes turn inwards and rub against the cornea.

When hairs grow from the caruncle, a fleshy bump at the inner corner of the eye, and rub against the cornea.

A surgical procedure used to correct medial entropion and caruncular trichiasis that involves removing a small triangular piece of skin from the eyelid.

A small opening in the eyelid that allows tears to drain into the nasolacrimal duct.

A surgical procedure that uses extremely cold temperatures to destroy tissue. It can be helpful for caruncular trichiasis.

The canaliculi are delicate and can be easily injured during surgery. Catheterization helps protect them.

During surgery, it's crucial to ensure that the nasolacrimal punctae are not damaged, as this can lead to tear drainage problems.

When removing the caruncle, it's essential to avoid injuring the nasolacrimal punctae and canaliculi, as this can lead to tear drainage issues.

Inflammation of the lacrimal sac, often caused by blockage of the nasolacrimal duct.

A procedure that involves flushing fluid through the nasolacrimal duct to clear blockages.

A medical approach to treat dacryocystitis using antibiotics and other medications.

A surgical intervention, usually performed by a veterinary ophthalmologist, to address persistent dacryocystitis.

A tube placed in the nasolacrimal duct and secured with stitches to keep the passage open.

A bacterial infection that occurs alongside another primary infection.

Antibiotics that target a wide range of bacteria.

Tests performed to identify the specific types of bacteria causing an infection and their sensitivity to different antibiotics.

The cornea is the outermost, transparent layer of the eye, responsible for bending light rays that enter the eye. It has a greater refractive power than the lens due to the change in medium from air to aqueous humor.

Factors contributing to corneal transparency include the lack of blood vessels, pigment, and the organized arrangement of cellular structures and small collagen fibrils.

The corneal endothelium contains pumps that remove excess fluid, keeping the cornea relatively dehydrated and contributing to its transparency.

A corneal ulcer is a sore or wound on the surface of the cornea, which can be caused by various factors like eyelid abnormalities, irritants, trauma, or infections.

Corneal ulceration can arise from eyelid abnormalities such as entropion (eyelids turning inwards) or blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids), causing irritation on the corneal surface.

Superficial corneal defects involving only the epithelium often heal through epithelial sliding and mitosis, where cells move and divide to fill the gap.

Various external factors like shampoo, smoke, acids, alkalis, and UV light can irritate the cornea and cause ulceration.

Corneal ulceration can result from trauma, such as scratches, road traffic accidents, or foreign objects entering the eye.

The inner most layer of the cornea, responsible for maintaining corneal clarity by actively pumping fluid out.

The process where cells grow larger instead of dividing by mitosis (cell division).

The process where cells slide over each other to compensate for lost cells.

Fluid buildup within the cornea, often caused by endothelial damage.

New blood vessel growth within the tissue.

The most common sign of recurring epithelial erosion in dogs and cats.

A breed commonly affected by recurring epithelial erosion, along with boxers.

A breed of cat commonly affected by recurring epithelial erosion, along with Persians.