If your pet has a scheduled appointment at the Animal Eye Center of NJ, you may be wondering what to expect. We perform a series of tests at each ophthalmic exam in order to gain insight into your pet’s eye health. A proper diagnosis requires a complete evaluation of the eye, so each test must be performed during the exam; we do not provide the option to pick and choose. Below are the carefully selected tests performed during our comprehensive eye examinations.
Slit lamp biomicroscopy allows us to evaluate the front part of your pet’s eye, including the eyelids, conjunctiva, third eyelid, cornea, anterior chamber, iris, lens, and anterior vitreous using high magnification. This is the gold- standard in both human and veterinary ophthalmology for the diagnosis of ophthalmic diseases in the front part of the eye.
Ophthalmoscopy is the examination of the back part of the eye, including the vitreous, retina, and optic nerve. We use both indirect and direct techniques to diagnose ophthalmic diseases such as retinal detachment, retinal degeneration, retinal hemorrhage, optic nerve inflammation, optic nerve atrophy, and many others.
The Schirmer tear test evaluates your pet’s tear production. It is the most common test performed to diagnose dry eye.
Fluorescein stain application to the cornea tests the strength of the corneal epithelium, the cornea’s protective outer layer of tissue. This test reveals areas of potentially painful or destructive corneal damage.
Vision testing in animals can be difficult. Our ophthalmologist uses several tools including light reflexes, blink reflex testing, object tracking, visual cliff testing, and maze navigation in light and dark conditions to assess your pet’s vision.
