Ophthalmology

After operating an ambulatory referral ophthalmic service for over 20 years in veterinary practices across the north of Scotland, our ophthalmologists, Tony Wall and Kirsten Macleod, opened Scottish Vet Referrals in Inverness in February 2017, the first dedicated referral practice in the North of Scotland.

Scottish Vet Referrals offers a comprehensive ophthalmology referral service. We are fully equipped to carry out extra and intra-ocular surgery, whilst continuing to offer satellite clinics at veterinary practices across the region. 

Consultation

Consultations take at least 30 minutes. During this time, we examine all the structures of the eye and the eyelids, evaluate the nervous reflexes and assess vision. We will also measure intraocular pressure (the glaucoma test), and evaluate the tear function as well as using corneal stains (fluorescein, rose bengal, lissamine green). 

Ophthalmology is a unique discipline in that the majority of investigation is performed within a consultation and a diagnosis usually made at this time. 

Further investigations are carried out as appropriate, including high frequency ophthalmic ultrasound and gonioscopy.

Surgical Procedures

Illuminated magnifying loupes and our operating microscope allow us superior visualisation of the small ocular structures. Surgery is carried out using specialised microsurgical instruments.

Eyelid Surgery

Entropion, ectropion, stades procedure, rhytidectomy, mass removal, reconstructive blepharoplasty, canthoplasty

Nictitans Surgery

Nictitans prolapse (cherry eye), everted or deformed cartilage

Corneal Surgery

Keratotomy, keratectomy, foreign body removal, laceration repair, grafts

Cilia Removal

Distichiasis, ectopic cilia

Intra-ocular Surgery

Lens luxation, cataract surgery, foreign body removal

Cataract Surgery

To remove cataracts we perform phacoemulsification. During this technique a small incision is made at the edge of the cornea and through this a window is cut into the capsule at the front of the lens.

An ultrasonic probe is then inserted into the lens, which breaks up the lens and aspirates the fragments. The capsule that is left has an artificial intraocular lens inserted.

In an initial cataract assessment, we perform a full ophthalmic examination and ultrasound to ensure there are no other ocular problems that could make the animal unsuitable for surgery. If cataract surgery is something you are interested in please contact us and we can arrange for an assessment, and to discuss the procedure in more detail.

Better Health Care is Our Mission

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