Ophthalmology

Our Ophthalmology Specialist

Chloe Spertus

DVM, DACVO

MVA is proud to announce the addition of a state-of-the-art Alcon Centurion Vision System for the treatment of cataracts in companion animals! Learn more about the Centurion Vision System.

Animals suffer from eye problems that are similar to those which affect humans. These problems include cataracts, glaucoma, dry eye, corneal ulceration, tumors of the eye, eyelid defects, inflammation of the eye and surrounding tissues, retinal degeneration, and many others. Owners may notice a loss of vision, a change in appearance of the eye, discharge, pain, or a combination of these symptoms. Most cases seen by a veterinary ophthalmologist are referred by a general practice veterinarian. This individual is in the best position to provide an initial examination and determine if a referral to a specialist is indicated.

Veterinary ophthalmologists, have advanced knowledge, techniques, and equipment necessary to provide specialty eye care to your pet. Your appointment will involve a comprehensive ophthalmic examination as well as treatment option recommendations. Cataract surgery is performed in pets with the exact technique and equipment used in human cataract surgery. The veterinary ophthalmologist may be able to preserve or restore vision, treat a painful eye, or diagnose a troubling ophthalmic condition.

Typical Ophthalmological Problems Include:

Cataracts

Glaucoma

Dry eye

Corneal ulceration

Tumors of the eye

Eyelid defects

Inflammation

Retinal degeneration

Learn About Our Ophthalmology Specialty

Hear from two of MVA’s Ophthalmologists as they speak about the specialty.

Transcript

Dr. Stephen Gross: “In the Veterinary Ophthalmology world we’ve been doing this kind of specialty work probably for the last 40 years. And we do almost everything that can be done in the human world. We do cataract surgery the exact same way that it’s done in people. We deal with glaucoma, injuries to eyes and other eyelid abnormalities that are birth defects in many different breeds of dogs.”

Dr. Amanda Corr: “We see a lot of problems that are isolated to the eye but really are a manifestations of something going on in the rest of the body. So I think that we work really well as part of the team. There are even some surgeries that we do in conjunction with the surgeons, depending on what’s going on. And, like I said, a lot of the cases that we look at, we see the eye problem, but we know there’s something else going on in the rest of the body. So it’s nice to have Internists here, to help do full systemic workups.”

Dr. Stephen Gross: “The Neurologist works very closely with the Ophthalmologist as the optic nerves, and nerves going to the brain are really an extension of the brain. We also deal with Dermatology, the eyelids have many eye skin problems. And Internal Medicine because the general health of the animal is often reflected in the eye. Issues and aging of high blood pressure can often be first looked at in the very back of the eye where we’re looking at the blood vessels of the retina. The types of surgery we do in Veterinary Ophthalmology often involve specialized equipment. Here we have the operating microscope, which is an absolute necessity when we’re doing very fine work within the eye, on the surface of the eye.”

Dr. Amanda Corr: “We’re compassionate about animals, and we’re compassionate about the love the owners have for their animals and that you can’t separate the two.”

Dr. Stephen Gross: “We have to be up close and personal with them using instruments to actually look within their eyes. The animals, if you just take your time and are very slow and work with them in a calm way, seem to be quite trusting.”

Dr. Amanda Corr: “Hopefully they see us be tender and gentle with their pets and they know that we have our own pets and we understand what they’re going through. And that we would be doing the same thing for their pet that we would do for our own pet. So hopefully they can just tell in our mannerisms and that I think we are all really good about taking the extra time to care and listen and understand people’s concerns when it comes to their pets.”

Dr. Stephen Gross: “The great thing about Metropolitan is that everyone is here. All the different specialties are here. We all know each other for many years, we’re friends, we co-operate, work together to try to have everything done at once on the pets. Treat them as efficiently as we can, with the highest quality we can.”

Emergency and Critical Care