Clinical Service

We are dedicated to providing the highest possible standard of care to veterinary patients with eye diseases. A member of our team is available to address ocular emergencies 24 hours a day. The provision of a high standard of care in veterinary ophthalmology demands not only clinical expertise but a range of technologically advanced instrumentation that is not available to most veterinarians. The Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center provides a range of diagnostic and surgical ophthalmic equipment and procedures that are not available at any other veterinary clinic in the state of Iowa .

ophthalmologist performing canine eye examDiagnostic Procedures

Some examples of procedures that the ophthalmology service offers include:

  • Schirmer Tear Test: Assess the patient’s tear production
  • Fluorescein Staining: Helps identify the presence of corneal ulcers
  • Slit-lamp Biomicroscopy: Allows for magnified examination of the ocular structures
  • Indirect Ophthalmoscopy: Allows examination of the retina
  • Gonioscopy and Tonometry: Tests that are used in the diagnosis of glaucoma
  • Nasolacrimal Duct Flushing: Clears the duct that traverses from the eye into the nasal passage
  • Ocular Photography: Allows state-of-the-art digital imaging system
  • Ocular Ultrasonography: Facilitates examination of the structures of inner eye
  • Electroretinography: Allows testing of the electrical function of the retina
  • I.C.P. OSA-Vet: Allows full assessment of the ocular surface

Ophthalmology equine eye surgerySurgical Options

In addition to these diagnostic procedures, we provide a comprehensive range of surgical options for veterinary patients with eye disease, such as:

  • Eyelid and corneal surgery (including corneal grafts)
  • Cataract surgery (using a state-of-the-art technique known as phacoemulsification)
  • Lens implantation
  • Laser surgery (for glaucoma, ocular tumors and retinal detachment)
  • Glaucoma drainage implant surgery
  • Photodynamic therapy (PDT) (for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma)

Clinical Trials

As part of the University and College’s goal of improving care for pets, our faculty and staff are frequently engaged in clinical trials to identify improved methods of diagnosing diseases or investigations on novel therapeutics to provide the best treatments to improve patient outcomes.  We regularly present our research findings at major national and international meetings and strive to further disseminate this information through peer-reviewed publications and textbook chapters.