Ophthalmology

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When presented with exotic species with ocular disease it is important to remember the concept of "the same and different". Eye are eyes regardless of the species and many of the conditions we are presented with in pocket pets and other exotic species are in many ways the same as those we have come to recognize in the more usual domestic species and can be diagnosed and treated empirically in the same way.

Pediatrics, for the purpose of this lecture, will be considered conditions that are genetic, congenital, and early developmental and acquired. They are common in the first year of life. To have the best understanding of many of the genetic and congenital diseases, a review of embryology will be necessary, and we will further highlight embryology as we discuss many of these conditions.

The eyelids often have increased flaccidity and laxity in advanced age. This may result in entropion, often of the lateral aspect of the upper eyelid. Loss of orbital fat pad may result in enophthalmos and protrusion of the third eyelid. This too can lead to entropion, typically of the lower lids.

The SCCED represents a specific unique type of corneal ulcer that is frustrating for veterinarians and clients alike. They are chronic, superficial, non-infected, and present with the patient minimally to severely painful. Most are characterized by a superficial erosion of the corneal epithelium with loose epithelial edges and variable corneal vascularization.

Distichiae are aberrant hairs that arise from the meibomian glands and exit through the meibomian gland opening in the eyelid margin. Distichiasis occurs commonly in many breeds of dogs. In some breeds the hairs cause virtually no clinical signs (e.g., Cocker Spaniels), whereas in other breeds they can result in epiphora, corneal fibrosis and vascularization, and occasionally corneal ulceration.

When we examine the posterior segment of the eye we tend to think that we are looking for problems in the retina. I reality we are seeing the vitreous humor, the neural retina and optic nerve, retina pigment epithelium, the vascular coat lining the back of the eye – the choroid, and the outer fibrous coat of the eye – the sclera. The fundus is the area including all of these structures as seen by ophthalmoscopy through the pupil.