Approach to ocular examination in small animals

doi:10.1136/inp.d1810 Natasha Mitchell graduated from University College Dublin in 1998. She worked in small animal practice in the UK and Australia before undertaking a residency at an ophthalmology referral practice in Herefordshire in 2006. She now runs her own referral veterinary ophthalmology business in Limerick, Ireland. She holds the RCVS certificate in veterinary ophthalmology and is currently studying for the RCVS diploma. While a thorough ocular examination is clearly important in the diagnostic work-up of dogs and cats presenting with eye conditions, an assessment of the eyes should also be included in every routine health check in small animal practice. Eye examinations require basic equipment, good clinical observation and lots of practice. It is also important for clinicians to be familiar with the normal anatomy of the eye, so that abnormalities can be recognised and the significance of the findings appreciated. This article describes a step-by-step approach to examination of the eye in dogs and cats, and highlights the key diagnostic tests that should be carried out as part of this procedure.