Animal Eye Surgery
Our team at Columbia River Veterinary Specialists is comprised of compassionate animal lovers who perform a wide range of surgical procedures. We also monitor the anesthetic aspects of surgery and ensure that your pet receives the best care possible.
During each surgery, a dedicated nurse administers anesthesia and continuously monitors your pet using electronic patient monitoring equipment. Pain management is also provided.
After surgery, our priorities shift to post-operative monitoring and pain management. Your vet will also provide detailed instructions for at-home care.
What to Expect from Animal Eye Surgery
We are committed to keeping you fully informed about why any surgical procedure is being recommended, and regarding any post-operative care your pet will need at home. We practice stringent surgical protocols at our clinic.
Surgical Procedures
At Columbia River Veterinary Specialists, we perform medical and surgical treatment for diseases and conditions in pets, and to repair injuries sustained through trauma.
Our vets routinely perform the following elective and non-elective surgeries:
- Orbital and Eyelid Surgery
We offer a wide spectrum of oculoplastic procedures for the treatment of orbital and eyelid disorders.
If your pet is experiencing skin cancer or growths around the eye, droopy upper or lower eyelids or tear duct problems, speak with your veterinarian to see if orbital or eyelid surgery is right for your pet. We perform eyelid tumor removal and exenteration of the orbit.
- Cherry Eye Surgery
Cherry eye in dogs, known scientifically as a prolapse of the third eyelid gland, is a treatable condition that occurs most commonly in young dogs.
This involves the surgical replacement of the third eyelid gland. Surgical replacement is generally recommended sooner than later in order to minimize permanent damage to the eye or third eyelid gland.
- Entropion Surgery
Entropion repair is an outpatient procedure. Depending on the exact needs of the patient, entropion repair may involve the removal of a small section of the eyelid or reconstruction of both eyelids.
- Enucleation
Enucleation is the removal of the entire eye including the globe, eyelids and pink tissue around globe (conjunctiva). This procedure is generally performed with eyes that are blind and painful or for eyes that are suspected to have cancer.
- Treating Your Pet's Cataracts
Like humans, animals can also develop cataracts. The skilled team at Columbia River Veterinary Specialists employs the latest techniques in phacoemulsification and intraocular lens placement for the treatment of your pet's cataracts.
Cataracts occur when protein clumps up and clouds the lens of the eye, which then reduces the light that reaches the retina. If the clouding gets severe enough, blurred vision and even blindness can result.
Phacoemulsification is a procedure where a small incision is made in the side of the cornea. High-frequency ultrasound is used to break up the cloudy lens. After the cloudy lens is removed, a new lens is inserted, allowing the light to pass through and focus correctly on your pet's retina. - Eyelash Disorders
We treat a variety of eyelash disorders. In certain cases like distichiasis, ectopic cilia, and other eyelash disorders, cryotherapy or excision surgery is the preferred method for removing the affected eyelashes.
- Cornea Surgery
The cornea is a transparent, multi-layered, shiny membrane that makes up the anterior portion of your pet's eyes. A corneal abrasion (or ulcer) is the erosion of these layers. Corneal disorders give a cloudy appearance to your pet's eyes and are often very painful.
If the injury to your pet's cornea is severe, surgery may be required to remove dead or poorly healing tissue or a corneal graft may be necessary.
The Surgery Process
We understand that the prospect of bringing your pet in for surgery can be frightening. Please be assured that we recommend surgery only when it is in the best interests of your furry companion.
Our board-certified veterinarians will ensure that you fully understand why we are recommending surgery and that you are comfortable making the decision to move ahead.
Surgical protocols at our clinic include:
Pre-surgical assessments. We will confirm the specifics of the procedure, complete a physical examination of the patient, and make sure blood tests have been completed and reviewed by the vet in order to determine if your pet faces any risk of anesthesia-related complications.
Dedicated surgical suites. Surgeries are performed in a dedicated surgical suite. This room is kept completely sterile to prevent infection and cross-contamination.
Surgical attire. Our staff wears disposable caps and masks at all times when they are in the surgical suite. Those involved in the procedure itself will also wear sterile gowns and single-use gloves.
Sterile packs and equipment. We carefully clean, sterilize and wrap our surgical instruments and equipment prior to every surgery.