Services
Clinical Services at VOR
We are able to provide the following specialised Ophthalmic Services:
- Consultations and eye examinations for problem eye cases in all animal species including dogs, cats, horses, production animal, exotic pets and zoo animals
- Hereditary eye disease screening including Australian Canine Eye Scheme (ACES) screening for dogs – Specialist Service
- Slit-lamp biomicroscopy
- Indirect and direct fundoscopy
- Streak retinoscopy
- Tonometry
- Gonioscopy
- Electroretinography – Specialist Service
- Ocular ultrasonography – Specialist Service
- Oscillometric blood pressure measurement
- Eyelid surgery, including entropion and distichiasis correction
- Corneal surgery, including non-healing ulcer treatments and corneal grafts
- Cataract surgery, including artificial lens implantation – Specialist Service
- Luxated lens surgery – Specialist Service
- Glaucoma surgery – Specialist Service
- Ocular cryosurgery for various conditions
- Ocular tumour and reconstructive surgery
- Ocular laser surgery – Specialist Service
North Queensland Visiting Services
Dr Read runs regional clinics in North Queensland every two to four months at the following clinics:
- Cairns Host Clinic – Marlin Coast Veterinary Hospital
- Townsville Host Clinic – Western Suburbs Veterinary Clinic
- Mackay Host Clinic – Stabler and Howlett, Ooralea
- Rockhampton Host Clinic – Alma Street Veterinary Hospital
Equine and Large Animal Services
Horse cases are seen externally by prior arrangement, usually at HorseMed SA, Morphettville. Other large animal species are also seen by special request.
VOR on the Wild Side
As a community service, VOR provides pro-bono eye care for wildlife and zoo animals. We are frequently examining and treating patients for
- Adelaide Zoo
- Monarto Safari Park
- Wildlife Rescue Organisations
What is a Veterinary Ophthalmologist?
Veterinary medicine has progressed to the point of having specialist fields similar to those in human medicine. A Veterinary Ophthalmologist is a veterinary eye specialist, in other words a veterinarian who has specialised in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions involving the eyes of animals.
General practitioners may offer to treat eye conditions, but Veterinary Ophthalmic Referrals has the only specialist trained veterinary ophthalmologists in Adelaide.
To register as a veterinary specialist in a particular field, rigorous and stringent criteria have to be met in terms of post-graduate training and passing of relevant examinations for specialist qualifications.
When does your pet need an Ophthalmologist?
When your animal has an eye problem which, due to its complex, protracted or delicate nature, requires specialist ocular equipment or expertise for diagnosis, medical treatment or surgery.
Most cases seen by a Veterinary ophthalmologist are referred by a general veterinary practitioner. Your usual veterinarian will generally provide an initial eye examination and suggest whether referral to an eye specialist is indicated.
Referral of a difficult eye case to a dedicated specialist clinic demonstrates your veterinarian’s concern for your animal’s welfare and his/her ability to identify conditions which will benefit from specialised diagnosis and treatment.
What does an appointment involve?
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- Initially all the relevant details of the patient’s medical history will be reviewed with the client.
- An eye examination similar to that performed in humans follows, but not with eye charts and spectacles!
- Specialist eye examination equipment is used to make a thorough and complete assessment of both eyes.
- A diagnosis is made and where applicable the pros and cons of available treatment options are discussed.
- A joint decision is made with the client on the most suitable course of action for their animal’s eye problem.
- A report is made promptly to the client’s usual veterinarian to keep him/her fully informed on how the eye condition is being treated and managed.