Ophthalmology – Practical Ophthalmic Examination in Dogs and Cats

Ophthalmology – Practical Ophthalmic Examination in Dogs and Cats

Feb 4, 2026

Practical Tips for Performing an Ophthalmic Examination in Small Animals

Day 1: Foundations of the Ophthalmic examination

From history taking to ocular surface and anterior segment examination
Saturday 24th October 2026
09:00 – 18:00

Learning Objectives:

  • Perform a structured ophthalmic examination of the dog and cat
  • Take a focused ophthalmic history and perform a hands-off ocular exam
  • Confidently perform a neuro-ophthalmic examination and localise lesions
  • Perform and interpret STT and IOP measurements
  • Use the direct ophthalmoscope for distant and close examination of the ocular surface and anterior segment
  • Perform slit lamp biomicroscopy of the ocular surface, anterior segment and lens

Day 2 – Posterior Segment Assessment and Further Diagnostics

From fundoscopy to photography and additional diagnostic tests
Sunday 25th October 2026
09:00 – 18:00

Learning Objectives:

  • Perform a complete posterior segment examination
  • Compare and select appropriate fundoscopy techniques
  • Perform
    • Distant direct ophthalmoscopy
    • Indirect ophthalmoscopy
    • Close direct ophthalmoscopy
  • Recognise common fundus findings in dogs and cats
  • Perform ocular surface sampling for cytology and bacteriology
  • Perform nasolacrimal cannulation and flushing
  • Use pharmacological diagnostic agents appropriately
  • Capture diagnostic ocular photographs of the anterior segment and fundus
Josie Parker

Josie Parker

BVMS PgCertSAOphthal MSc DipECVO AIS ARPS MRCVS

Josie graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2013 before beginning her veterinary career in mixed practice in North Yorkshire. Initially aspiring to be an equine specialist, she completed a rotating internship at the Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital, University of Liverpool in 2014, where she discovered the wonders of ophthalmology!

After returning to small animal first opinion practice for a few years, she undertook an ophthalmology internship at the University of Bristol and attained a BSAVA Postgraduate Certificate in Small Animal Ophthalmology in 2020. She pursued a European College of Veterinary Ophthalmology (ECVO) residency, alongside a Master of Science degree, which she completed in 2022. She then moved to the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, as an ophthalmology clinician and achieved her ECVO Diploma, RCVS and EBVS specialist status in 2024.

Currently, her role is divided between clinical work at the R(D)SVS teaching hospitals and research at the Roslin Institute. She will begin a Wellcome Trust funded PhD in August 2025 as part of the Edinburgh Clinical Academic Track (ECAT) programme. Josie’s clinical interests include surgical cases, particularly the correction of eyelid conformational abnormalities and corneal surgery, while her research explores the development of an embryonic chick model for studying human congenital cataracts.

DAY 1

Time Title
08:30 Arrival, registration and coffee
09:00 Welcome and course overview
09:10

Lecture 1: The Structured Ophthalmic Examination

  • Clinical examination sheets and workflow
  • Equipment and consult room set up
  • Ophthalmic history taking
  • Patient handling and restraint
  • Neuro – ophthalmic assessment
  • Schirmer tear test (STT)
  • Intraocular pressure (IOP)
10:30 Coffee break
11:00

Lecture 2: Ocular Surface and Anterior Segment Examination

  • The direct ophthalmoscope: set up and controls, distant and close direct ophthalmoscopy
  • The slit lamp: set up and controls, ocular surface, anterior segment and lens assessment
  • Fluorescein staining for ocular surface disease
12:00

Practical Session 1

Small group rotating stations

Instructor introduction – station specific learning objectives provided

  • Station 1: Neuro-ophthalmic exam
  • Station 2: STT, IOP and fluorescein staining
  • Station 3: Direct ophthalmoscopy – distant and close
  • Station 4: Slit lamp biomicroscopy
13:30 Lunch
14:30

Practical Session 2

Continuation of rotating stations

  • Station 1: Neuro-ophthalmic exam
  • Station 2: STT, IOP and fluorescein staining
  • Station 3: Direct ophthalmoscopy – distant and close
  • Station 4: Slit lamp biomicroscopy
16:30 Coffee break
17:30 Case based discussion and summary
18:00 End

DAY 2

Time Title
08:30 Arrival, registration and coffee
09:00 Welcome and course overview
09:10

Lecture 3: Fundus Examination

  • Distant direct ophthalmoscopy
  • Indirect ophthalmoscopy
  • Close direct ophthalmoscopy
  • Normal and abnormal fundus findings in dogs and cats
10:30 Coffee break
11:00

Lecture 4: Further Diagnostics and Ocular Photography

  • Topical local anaesthetics
  • Ocular surface sample collection – cytology, bacteriology
  • Nasolacrimal cannulation and flushing
  • Pharmacological diagnostics – tropicamide/cyclopentolate/atropine/phenylephrine/pilocarpine
  • Ocular photography – ocular surface and fundus
12:00

Practical Session 1

Small group rotating stations

Instructor introduction – station specific learning objectives provided

  • Station 1: Fundoscopy – Indirect
  • Station 2: Fundoscopy – Close direct
  • Station 3: Sample collection and nasolacrimal cannulation
  • Station 4: Ocular photography – phone anterior segment and fundus
13:30 Lunch
14:30

Practical Session 2

Continuation of rotating stations

  • Station 1: Fundoscopy – Indirect
  • Station 2: Fundoscopy – Close direct
  • Station 3: Ocular photography – phone anterior segment and fundus
  • Station 4: Sample collection and nasolacrimal cannulation
16:30 Coffee break
17:00 Ophthalmology Pharmacy
17:30 Case review and summary
18:00 End

Ophthalmology – Practical Ophthalmic Examination in Dogs and Cats

Ophthalmology – Surgical ophthalmology in dogs for clinical practitioner

Feb 8, 2025

The primary objective of this course in veterinary ophthalmology is to improve the ophthalmic diagnostic and surgical skills of veterinary practitioners in order that they can provide higher levels of care to animals with eye problems. This will begin with a review of ophthalmic terminology, anatomy, physiology and pharmacology of the animal eye. Basic and advanced ophthalmic examination and surgery techniques in dogs will be covered in detail. Discussions on how to perform basic and advanced ophthalmic diagnostic and surgical procedures will be taught. OKEAN course offers an unparalleled opportunity to obtain hands-on skills training through personalized instruction, allowing you to develop expertise.

 

Programme

Examination of the eye

  • Anterior segment examination
  • Diagnostic testing – eye reflexes, fluorescein staining, STT, IOP, nasolacrimal duct flushing
  • Direct ophthalmoscopy
  • Indirect ophthalmoscopy

 

Surgical procedures

  • Temporary tarsorrhaphy
  • Wedge resection
  • Entropion surgery – Modified Hotz Celsus
  • Complex entropion surgery
  • Ectropium surgery
  • Lateral arrowhead for large breeds
  • “Stades technique”
  • Medial canthoplasty for brachycephalic breeds
  • Removal of large tumor and eyelid reconstruction using H-plasty
  • Third eyelid flap
  • 360-degree conjunctival flap
  • Cherry eye repair
  • Enucleation
Dr. Hannes Gressl studied veterinary medicine at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna
1988 Clinic for surgery and ophthalmology at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna
1994 Veterinary Clinic Dr. Krebitz in Klagenfurt, Austria. Main focus: ophthalmology, oncology, soft tissue-, orthopedic, neurosurgery and diagnostic imaging (computer tomography, MRI, X-ray, endoscopy)
1996 Doctoral thesis at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Topic: “About the occurrence of eyelid diseases in dogs in Austria (1983-1993)”
1996 Certified member AKVO (Working Group of Veterinary Ophthalmology – Austria),ECVO (European Collage of Veterinary Ophthalmologists) recognized ESE Eye Scheme Examiner
2006 – Member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the VÖK (Austrian Small Animal Veterinary Medicine Association)
2012 – Member of the Board of the VÖK Austrian Small Animal Veterinary Medicine Association
2014 “Specialist veterinarian for small animals” Austrian veterinary chamber, qualification and exam
2016 – President of the VÖK Austrian Small Animal Veterinary Medicine Association
2016 Appointed member of the Examination board for specialist veterinarian for small animals of the Austrian veterinary chamber
2017 “Diploma small animal oncology” Austrian veterinary chamber qualification and exam
2018 Appointed instructor small animal medicine at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna
Ophthalmology – Practical Ophthalmic Examination in Dogs and Cats

Ophthalmology – Surgical ophthalmology in dogs for clinical practitioner

Feb 13, 2024

The primary objective of this course in veterinary ophthalmology is to improve the ophthalmic diagnostic and surgical skills of veterinary practitioners in order that they can provide higher levels of care to animals with eye problems. This will begin with a review of ophthalmic terminology, anatomy, physiology and pharmacology of the animal eye. Basic and advanced ophthalmic examination and surgery techniques in dogs will be covered in detail. Discussions on how to perform basic and advanced ophthalmic diagnostic and surgical procedures will be taught. OKEAN course offers an unparalleled opportunity to obtain hands-on skills training through personalized instruction, allowing you to develop expertise.

 

Programme

Examination of the eye

  • Anterior segment examination
  • Diagnostic testing – eye reflexes, fluorescein staining, STT, IOP, nasolacrimal duct flushing
  • Direct ophthalmoscopy
  • Indirect ophthalmoscopy

 

Surgical procedures

  • Temporary tarsorrhaphy
  • Wedge resection
  • Entropion surgery – Modified Hotz Celsus
  • Complex entropion surgery
  • Ectropium surgery
  • Lateral arrowhead for large breeds
  • “Stades technique”
  • Medial canthoplasty for brachycephalic breeds
  • Removal of large tumor and eyelid reconstruction using H-plasty
  • Third eyelid flap
  • 360-degree conjunctival flap
  • Cherry eye repair
  • Enucleation
Dr. Hannes Gressl studied veterinary medicine at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna
1988 Clinic for surgery and ophthalmology at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna
1994 Veterinary Clinic Dr. Krebitz in Klagenfurt, Austria. Main focus: ophthalmology, oncology, soft tissue-, orthopedic, neurosurgery and diagnostic imaging (computer tomography, MRI, X-ray, endoscopy)
1996 Doctoral thesis at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Topic: “About the occurrence of eyelid diseases in dogs in Austria (1983-1993)”
1996 Certified member AKVO (Working Group of Veterinary Ophthalmology – Austria),ECVO (European Collage of Veterinary Ophthalmologists) recognized ESE Eye Scheme Examiner
2006 – Member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the VÖK (Austrian Small Animal Veterinary Medicine Association)
2012 – Member of the Board of the VÖK Austrian Small Animal Veterinary Medicine Association
2014 “Specialist veterinarian for small animals” Austrian veterinary chamber, qualification and exam
2016 – President of the VÖK Austrian Small Animal Veterinary Medicine Association
2016 Appointed member of the Examination board for specialist veterinarian for small animals of the Austrian veterinary chamber
2017 “Diploma small animal oncology” Austrian veterinary chamber qualification and exam
2018 Appointed instructor small animal medicine at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna