Ophthalmology

Veterinary Ophthalmology Services at PSVS:

The ophthalmology team at Puget Sound Veterinary Specialists is dedicated to providing compassionate care for companion animals with eye and vision problems. Early attention to ocular problems is imperative to preserving vision, minimizing pain and ensuring the best quality of life for your furry family member. We are grateful to now be able to offer veterinary ophthalmology services to our community.

What is a Veterinary Ophthalmologist?

A board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) and is a veterinarian who specializes exclusively in treating eye disorders in animals. There are approximately 400 board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists in the ACVO. To achieve board certification, specialists undergo years of training. After graduation from veterinary school, specialty training includes a 1- year rotating internship, 1 to 2-year specialty internship, and a 3-year ophthalmology residency. A veterinary ophthalmology residency is highly competitive and rigorous. After successful completion of the residency, the veterinarian applies for eligibility to sit for the specialty board examinations. If the candidate passes all parts of the examination, he or she becomes a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.

What does a veterinary ophthalmologist do?

While a general practitioner veterinarian can diagnose and treat many routine eye conditions, certain diseases and injuries require the care of a veterinarian who has had specialized, intensive training in veterinary ophthalmology in order to provide the very best outcome for your pet. A veterinary ophthalmologist will be able to perform diagnostics and use highly specialized equipment for examination of the eyes, including slit lamp biomicroscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, tonometry, and various other modalities.

What can our veterinary ophthalmologist and ophthalmology team do for you?

The ophthalmology team at PSVS is dedicated to guiding you and your beloved pet through understanding diseases. At PSVS, we understand eye issues can be frightening at times. Especially when vision is threatened. Our ophthalmologist and licensed veterinary technicians will help you every step of the way. From the initial consultation, to diagnosis and treatment, they will ensure you have the materials you need to understand the diagnosis, medications, and treatment options available for you and your pet.

Why should I see a veterinary ophthalmologist?

Your pet is referred to a veterinary ophthalmologist for examination with specialized ophthalmology equipment and expertise in diagnosing and treating your pet’s eye issues. Veterinary ophthalmologists only treat eye issues and act as an extension of the care given by your primary veterinarian.

For more information on veterinary ophthalmology please visit the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology website: http://www.acvo.org/referrals

What can you expect during an ophthalmology appointment?

The examination your pet receives is similar to what you experience at your own ophthalmologist. Your pet will be examined in a dark room with specialized equipment by your veterinary ophthalmologist with the assistance of a veterinary assistant or technician.

The typical initial eye examination includes:

High magnification slit lamp biomicroscopy allows magnified evaluation of the eyelids, cornea, aqueous, iris, and lens.
Indirect ophthalmoscopy allows evaluation of the vitreous, retina, and optic nerve head.
Schirmer Tear Testing will determine the ability of your pet to make tears.
Fluorescein Staining evaluates the cornea for ulcers in the corneal surface.
Tonometry allows evaluation of the intraocular pressure to check your pet for glaucoma.

**Not all diagnostics are performed at the initial or recheck examination and will be used at the discretion of the ophthalmologist.**

Once the examination is completed, the ophthalmologist will discuss the exam findings and diagnosis with you and make treatment recommendations. If surgery or further diagnostics are recommended, a detailed estimate will be provided.

What are some things I should look for that would prompt me to see a veterinary ophthalmologist?

Veterinary ophthalmologists work with your primary care veterinarian to provide the best eye care for your pet. There are times when your primary care veterinarian and your pet will benefit from a consultation with a veterinary ophthalmologist. There are many eye diseases that are time sensitive and prompt referral is often is recommended. Below are situations and questions for possible need for consultation:

Your pet’s eye condition has not responded to therapy.
Your pet’s vision is deteriorating even with treatment efforts.
A corneal ulcer that has not responded or worsened even with treatment efforts.
Cataracts can lead to secondary and painful side effects. A consultation with an ophthalmologist is recommended to discuss monitoring and/or surgery.
Diabetes generally leads to cataracts, a consult may be needed prior to their development causing complete vision loss.

Do you work with species other than cats and dogs?

While the majority of our patients are dogs and cats, our veterinary ophthalmologist will evaluate most smaller species. If you have a reptile, amphibian, bird, or pocket pet, please call to check availability for an appointment for your exotic pet.

Resources

Common eye disease:

https://www.acvo.org/common-conditions1

Blind animals:

http://www.blindtails.com

Surgeries performed by the ophthalmologist include:

Eyelid Abnormalities
Entropion repair
Eyelid tumor removal
Ectropion repair
Medial/Lateral Canthoplasty
Third Eyelid Surgery
Nictitans gland replacement (“cherry eye”)
Third eyelid tumor removal
Cryothermia
Freezing of eyelid masses
Freezing of extra and/or misdirected lashes (distichiasis, ectopic cilia)
Microscopic corneal surgery
Corneal Grafts (deep ulcers, perforations, or sequestrums)
Corneal laceration repair
Deep corneal foreign body removal
Dermoid removal
Glaucoma Procedures
Transscleralcyclocytophotocoagulation (TSCPC)
Ahmed Glaucoma Valve

Intraocular Procedures:

Intraocular tumor removal (iris)
Laser surgery for iris tumors

Lens Procedures:

Phacoemulsification cataract surgery with implantation of an intraocular lens
Anterior lens luxation surgery

Other Procedures:

Cyclosporine implantation

DANIELLE BOYD, DVM, MPH, DACVO

DIPLOMATE, AMERICAN COLLEGE OF VETERINARY OPHTHALMOLOGISTS

Dr. Boyd grew up in sunny Arizona but has been dreaming of the breathtakingly beautiful landscape of the Pacific Northwest since she was a child. Being a member of the Kitsap Peninsula community is a dream come true for her.

Becoming a veterinarian to help the voiceless and give back to the creatures that make her life complete was another dream of hers so she earned a doctorate in veterinary medicine and master’s in public health at St. George’s University and North Carolina State University. After witnessing a previously blind pup see his family from across the room after cataract surgery, she knew ophthalmology was her calling – restoring eyesight is indescribable.

That calling required her to complete a one year rotating small animal internship, a one-year specialty ophthalmology internship and three-year ophthalmology residency. All of that education helped her to reach her goal of restoring eyesight for as many animals as possible. Her other goal is to help her clients feel as if they are part of her family. She will outline and thoroughly discuss all options available for your pets’ ophthalmic issues. Together you will come up with a plan that fits everyone’s needs to give your pet the absolute best care possible. Finding someone you trust to care for you beloved furry, feathered, scaled family member can be a stressful task especially during an emergency. She is passionate about relieving that stress and will treat your pet with the same love and compassion she has for my own.

She believes in doing her small part in this big world by making it better than the day she arrived. She is involved in both animal and human related community outreach and service. When those two worlds collide, she feels we can make an even bigger impact with the human animal connection.

When she is not at work, volunteering, or reading about eyeballs you will find her outdoors with her pups. She plans on visiting as many state parks as possible where they can camp, kayak and hike. She has two pups – Squish, a 3.5 year-old previously abused rescued pup from a shelter in Ohio and Weasel, a 3 year-old, previously scared street pup rescued from a shelter in Houston during hurricane Harvey. They are never alone though. She constantly has a foster pup or cat roaming around until we find them their perfect forever home.

She is so grateful to be a part of this community and looks forward to serving the ophthalmic needs of the animals on the Kitsap Peninsula.