Common Presentations, other treatments and conditions
Enucleation (Eye Removal Surgery)
Enucleation involves removing a painful, blind, or severely damaged eye when vision cannot be restored and ongoing discomfort cannot be controlled medically. The eyelids are permanently closed with dissolvable stitches.
Although removal of an eye can sound worrying, most pets adapt remarkably well and are often much happier once a painful eye has been removed. In many cases, chronic eye pain can have a far greater impact on comfort, behaviour, and quality of life than loss of vision itself.
Mild swelling, bruising, or a small amount of blood-tinged discharge from the nose or incision can be normal during the first few days after surgery. Your pet will usually go home with pain relief and must wear a protective collar while healing. Complications are uncommon, and most patients recover quickly and comfortably.
Enucleation can often be a relief for dogs that have suffered painful conditions such as acute or chronic glaucoma
Parotid Duct Transposition (PDT)
This specialised procedure redirects a salivary duct to the eye surface to help provide moisture when natural tear production is severely reduced. It is typically recommended for advanced dry eye cases where medical treatment alone is no longer sufficient. Although saliva does not perfectly replace natural tears, the procedure can significantly improve comfort and help preserve the eye. Some discharge or mineral deposits on the cornea may occur long-term, and some patients still require ongoing eye medications and careful periocular hygiene after surgery.
Cyclosporine Implant
A cyclosporine implant is used to provide long-term release of medication that helps stimulate tear production and reduce inflammation in severe dry eye disease. The implant is placed surgically and may reduce the need for frequent topical medications in selected patients, particularly in cases where administering eye drops is difficult. Mild swelling or inflammation can occur after the procedure. Not all patients respond equally, but many experience significant improvement in comfort and eye lubrication over time.
Lavage System Placement
A lavage system is a small soft tube placed to help administer eye medications more comfortably and effectively in selected patients. It may be particularly helpful in patients requiring very frequent eye drops or in those that find topical treatment stressful or difficult to tolerate. The system allows medications to be delivered more easily during recovery and can improve treatment compliance in some cases. Mild irritation or discharge around the placement site can occasionally occur, and regular cleaning and monitoring are important while the system is in place.
Gonioscopy
Gonioscopy is a specialised diagnostic examination used to assess the drainage angle inside the eye and evaluate the risk of glaucoma. The procedure is non-invasive and is usually performed with numbing eye drops while your pet is awake, although mild sedation may occasionally be required. Most pets tolerate the examination very well, as it is relatively quick and minimally invasive.
Ocular Ultrasound
Ocular ultrasound is an imaging test used to examine structures inside and behind the eye that may not be visible during a routine eye examination. It is commonly used to investigate cataracts, retinal detachments, bleeding inside the eye, masses, or other internal eye abnormalities. The procedure is painless and typically performed using topical anaesthetic drops on a conscious patient. Sedation is only occasionally required.
Ocular ultrasound images showing swollen lenses