Advances in knowledge, instrumentation and techniques for diagnosing and treating eye diseases in pets have made it difficult for the general practitioner to have all the equipment and expertise necessary to deal with uncommon or complex ophthalmologic problems. As a result, when your veterinarian encounters a problem requiring special knowledge, skills, or equipment; wants a second opinion; confirmation of a diagnosis; or advice on how to proceed with a difficult case, he or she will refer your pet to a veterinary ophthalmologist.

         Animal Eye Associates of St. Louis is a veterinary ophthalmology referral practice started by Ben W. Johnson, DVM, Diplomate ACVO. Animal Eye Associates provides specialized veterinary services limited to the diagnosis and treatment of companion animal eye diseases.   We are not associated with any other emergency service, private practice, or referral center. Routine veterinary services (vaccinations, surgical or medical management of conditions unrelated to the eyes, etc.) will not be provided at any time by Animal Eye Associates.  

          With most patients , the ophthalmic examination is noninvasive and usually causes minimal discomfort. Most of the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are performed on an outpatient basis. Based on our initial examination, in many patients, we are able to provide the owner with a diagnosis, a prognosis, and therapeutic options before getting into appreciable expense.  We are conservative in our approach toward surgery but if surgery is needed, a detailed estimate of charges will be provided before proceeding. Except for emergency surgeries, surgery will usually be scheduled for a different day. Occasionally examination of the eyes reveals evidence of disease processes originating from other areas of the body. In these situations, referral to a different veterinary specialist may be recommended

Conditions that we commonly manage include, but are not limited to:

• Cataracts
• Eyelid abnormalities including entropion, tumors, inflammatory lesions, and trauma
• Conjunctivitis
• Dry eye syndrome
• Corneal ulcers, trauma, infections, infiltrates, dystrophies, and degenerations
• Intraocular inflammation (uveitis) and tumors
• Glaucoma
• Retinal degeneration or detachment
• Orbital problems
• Neurological problems including optic neuritis and Horner’s Syndrome

Procedures that we commonly perform include, but are not limited to:

• Diagnostic ophthalmic examination
• CERF examination
• Removal of cataracts via phacoemulsification  with insertion of an artificial lens  
• Intraocular prosthesis for treatment of chronic glaucoma
• Eyelid surgeries including entropion repair
• Liquid nitrogen cryosurgery of eyelid lesions, often under local anaesthesia only
• Cryosurgery or electrolysis of distichia
• Tacking of a prolapsed gland of the third eyelid
• Luxated lens removal
• Parotid duct transposition for dry eye syndrome
• Surgical repair of corneal lacerations and deep ulcers

Diffuse Iris Melanoma in a Cat

Post Operative Cataract Surgery with an acrylic intraocular lens

WELCOME

Last edited  January  2017

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Video about the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO)