Leading Small Animal Hospital Invests To Battle Blindness In Pets
4 years ago 
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One of the UK’s leading small animal hospitals has invested in specialist equipment which can help prevent animals going blind.
North Downs Specialist Referrals (NDSR), in Bletchingley, Surrey, has taken delivery of a £50,000 endolaser to help tackle cases of glaucoma in pets, particularly dogs.
The highly advanced laser endoscopy machine has proven very successful in combating the dangerous eye condition, which is caused by damage to the optic nerve.
Richard Everson, an RCVS and European specialist in ophthalmology at NDSR, explained: “The endolaser is a micro-endoscope system which uses a fibre-optic cable to allow simultaneous video imaging and laser functions within the eye.
“It is a remarkable, minimally invasive system which gives us an exciting treatment option in the management of glaucoma, especially in dogs.
“The endoscope is passed into the eye and used to view the ciliary body, which is the tissue that produces the fluid which fills the anterior chamber of the eye.
“A laser is then used to damage this tissue around 270 degrees of the eye, to reduce the excess production of aqueous fluid.”
The endolaser is also a powerful weapon in cases of secondary glaucoma, which can lead to blindness, and glaucoma associated with primary lens luxation.
Richard, who has a special interest in cataract surgery and care, added: “Secondary glaucoma is a frustrating, recognised complication of cataract surgery in dogs and is the main cause of vision loss in eyes that have had surgery.
“Similarly, dogs affected by primary lens luxation, an inherited disease in many terrier breeds like Shar Peis, miniature Bull Terriers and Collies, often develop glaucoma.
“Initially it can be managed with eye drops but ultimately progresses to a point where medical management is no longer working and vision is lost.
“However, surgical treatments can help some patients keep their vision, and the endolaser is one of these treatments.
“In addition, the system can also be used to treat some types of partial retinal detachment, by performing a procedure known as barrier retinopexy, so it’s a very valuable and flexible tool for us and a welcome addition to our ophthalmology department here at NDSR.”
NDSR offers specialist-led services in anaesthesia and analgesia, cardiology, dentistry, dermatology, diagnostic imaging, internal medicine, neurology, oncology, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, soft tissue surgery and spinal surgery.
For more information about NDSR and its specialist services, visit www.ndsr.co.uk or search for North Downs Specialist Referrals on Facebook.
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