How does an eye examination take place with us?

Ophthalmology and eye examination

The eye is a complex and exciting organ that, in the event of disease, often requires personnel with additional expertise in ophthalmology as well as advanced equipment. The eye is made up of several layers: an outer protective layer (cornea and sclera), a middle layer with blood vessels that supplies the eye with nutrition (uvea), and an innermost layer, the retina, which captures light and transmits visual impressions to the brain through the optic nerve.

Using various techniques and instruments, all of these layers will be assessed both from the outside and by looking in through the pupil.

When should you have your eyes examined?

A visit to an eye veterinarian or optometrist is often due to an owner noticing signs of eye disease. Common signs may include redness, squinting, increased tearing, cloudiness or other color changes in the eye, as well as signs of reduced vision. Eye examinations are also routinely performed throughout the animal's life and in connection with breeding. For some breeds, an eye examination certificate is used to document findings that may be relevant to hereditary eye diseases. If you want a routine check-up, we recommend an eye examination by an optometrist at 1, 3 and 7 years of age.

Below is an overview and description of typical examinations that are performed. In addition to the specific eye examinations mentioned below, ultrasound, MRI and other imaging tests can be used if necessary. An eye examination is not painful unless the eye is injured. In that case, it may be painful to shine a light on the eye.

Conversation with owner and visual inspection

Initially, the veterinarian talks to the owner about what the visit is about. What is the main problem, when did the problem start, has the animal had the same or a similar problem before, or has there been an incident, etc. While talking to the owner, the animal is observed from a distance. Mental status, orientation, blinking and squinting are important information. Then, some tests may be done to check reflexes. These are not described in this text.

Schirmer's tear test

The Schirmer tear test is used to assess tear fluid production. It is a simple test where a paper strip with a millimeter scale is placed between the ciliary membrane and the eyelid. The strip is impregnated with a blue dye at the bottom. This creeps up the strip along with the tear fluid and makes it easier to read the result. The Schirmer test is usually one of the first tests performed during an eye examination and must be done before applying eye drops or similar.

Results

Tonometry

Tonometry is a method used to measure the pressure inside the eye using a tonometer. Eye pressure is an important indicator of eye health. Elevated pressure can be a sign of glaucoma, where persistent high pressure can damage the optic nerve, while abnormally low pressure is often seen in uveitis (inflammation of the middle layer of the eye). When performing tonometry, positioning and handling of the instrument are crucial to obtaining accurate measurements. Some tonometers require touching the surface of the eye, while others measure pressure without direct contact.

Fluorescein

Fluorescein staining is a diagnostic method used to detect corneal damage. When the corneal epithelium is damaged, the dye binds to the exposed stromal tissue and becomes visible when illuminated with blue light. The test facilitates the detection of corneal ulcers and other surface lesions and is often used in cases of pain, tearing, tearing, or suspicion of corneal damage.

Slit lamp

A slit lamp is an advanced optical instrument that functions as a mobile microscope for detailed examinations of the outer and inner parts of the eye. The slit lamp allows you to see the eyelids, cornea, and parts of the eye's internal structures such as the iris and lens in detail. The strong light source combined with the microscope makes it possible to examine small structures and detect any damage or disease. Using the slit lamp requires special training and a lot of practice.

Ophthalmoscope

An ophthalmoscope is an instrument designed to examine the fundus – the retina, optic nerve head and blood vessels at the back of the eye. There are different types of ophthalmoscopes, including direct and indirect varieties. Often, the veterinarian will use a head lamp along with a magnifying glass in front of the eye being examined, which provides a detailed image of the retina. This examination can reveal signs of disease such as retinal detachment, changes in the optic nerve head, tumors or diabetes-related changes.

Read more about eye examinations here.

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