The Ophthalmic Examination in the Dog and Cat*

The Ophthalmic Examination in the Dog and Cat

 As veterinary surgeons our ability to diagnose and therefore treat diseases relies primarily on a structured and thorough physical examination. The beauty of the ocular examination is that the clinician can visualise the internal anatomy and pathology of the eye, something that is not possible for any other organ. By utilising the same systematic examination for every patient, as described in this article, the clinician can differentiate physiologically normal from pathologically abnormal clinical signs. This is the first and most important step in the pathway to making a diagnosis and is essential for effective treatment and monitoring.