Our Practice and Our Services

Animal Eye Clinic of Maine is a privately owned, appointment only, veterinary ophthalmology practice.  We provide ocular exams to animals with conditions/diseases of the eye and eyelids. We also provide breeding examination using Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA).  We offer surgery using both local +/- sedation and general anesthesia depending on the procedure and best option for the patient.

All of our new patient examinations include a Schirmer Tear Test (to help determine tear production), Tonometry (to measure the intraocular pressure) and Fluorescein staining (to aid in visualizing corneal defects and tear film abnormalities).

When you and your pet arrive for the first exam, the goal will be to have medical records from your veterinarian about your pet's ophthalmic history.  The staff at Animal Eye Clinic of Maine will still want to ask you questions pertaining to the current (and possibly past) ocular problems so you can explain. in your own words. what your concerns are.  

Prior to the ophthalmologist performing the exam, new patients will have ocular parameters measured.

1) a Schirmer Tear Test (STT). With this test a small strip of paper that is placed along the patient's eyelid for one minute.  This paper measures the tears present as well as collects any additional tears produced while the paper is in place during this minute.  For a dog the goal is to have the strip measure 15 or more on the strip in a minute.  The normal number is not so specific in cats.  In dogs patients, if the number is less than 15 there may be concern for dry eye, but this also depends on other factors as well. 

2a) Fluorescein stain. An orange-colored liquid will be placed on the clear part of the eye (the cornea) and eventually rinsed.  This will be used later to help look for any defects on the corneal surface.

2b) Tear film break up time (TFBUT). It is possible prior to the stain being rinsed from your pets' corneas the stain on the surface may be evaluated to be sure the tear film stays for an appropriate length of time in a normal healthy layer across the cornea.  In some patients the tear film evaporates too quickly, and this leads to problems for the patient.

3) Intraocular pressure (IOP). A drop of a topical anesthesia is applied to the surface of both eyes (the cornea) and then a machine called a tonometer or Tonopen is touched gentle to the cornea to take the intraocular pressure of the eye. The machine takes multiple readings before producing the final result.  The result is provided with a percentage of error to help the one taking the measurement know how accurate the readings were.  It common to take several readings so they can be compared for consistency.  The topical anesthesia typically wears off in about 15-20 minutes.

The ophthalmologist will check to see if your patient sees hand motion, if the eyelids blink completely, if the eyes move normally, check to see if your pet responds when bright light is shown in the eyes, checked to be sure the eye moves normally and comfortably back into the socket, etc. Then lights will then go out and examination of the ocular structures will be performed.  The eyelids, conjunctiva, sclera, cornea, inside of the eye: iris, lens and front aspect of the vitreous are examined via slit lamp microscopy.  The retina, optic nerve, and other structures of the posterior globe are examined with indirect ophthalmoscopy.  When the exam is finished the lights will come back on, the findings, options and any treatment plan will be discussed.