Veterinary Eye Institute

04/23/2026

This is depicting a Lionhead rabbit with a posterior lens luxation. The lens is normally positioned behind the pupil and suspended in place by “springs” as in a trampoline called zonules. These springs can occasionally lose their attachment to the edge of the lens, causing the lens to become displaced. With displacement of the lens, we can get secondary issues including intraocular inflammation (uveitis) and/or glaucoma. It is important to closely monitor for any signs of pain or discomfort and prescribe medications accordingly.

04/22/2026

✨ Meet the Heart of Our Front Desk – Ana! ✨

At Veterinary Eye Institute in Upland, the first friendly face (and voice!) you’ll encounter is Ana — and we truly couldn’t do it without her. 💙

From scheduling your pet’s eye exams to answering your questions with patience and care, Ana keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes. She’s passionate about helping both pets and their people feel comfortable from the moment they walk through our doors.

👁️ Whether it’s guiding you through your visit, coordinating care, or offering a warm smile during stressful moments, Ana is here to make your experience as seamless as possible.

🐾 Fun fact: Ana has a soft spot for all of our patients—especially the ones who need a little extra love during their visit!

Join us in showing Ana some appreciation in the comments! ⬇️💬

PetCare OphthalmologyForAnimals

04/21/2026

Cheers to our receptionists—making every visit a little brighter 🐶💖

04/20/2026

Eyes come in different shapes and sizes and how pets are restrained for their ophthalmic exams varies depending on the species. Last week Dr. Berkowski, Dr. Brown, and Dr. Ortiz had quite the variety of eyes to look at including a tortoise, bearded dragon, and an orange winged Amazon!

04/19/2026

Meet Harley! This squishy-faced Frenchie was not a fan of the extra “accessory” on his eyelid... and honestly, we don’t blame him!

He had a condition called a dermoid (congenital hamartoma) - basically a little patch of skin (sometimes even with hair!) growing where it definitely doesn’t belong. In his case, it was on his eyelid and the hairs kept rubbing against his cornea like a tiny, annoying windshield wiper.

The fix? Dr. Matthew Fife at VEI Orlando performed a reconstructive surgery to remove the dermoid and make a normal eyelid.

Now Harley is dermoid-free, feeling fabulous, and back to doing important Frenchie things—like snorting, napping, and stealing hearts. 💙

Safe to say... he’s seeing life a whole lot clearer these days! 🤩

04/16/2026

04/16/2026

The VEI Ocala location will be closed on Monday April 20th and will reopen at 8am Tuesday April 21st.

04/14/2026

A closer look at Horner’s Syndrome 👁️🐾
This condition occurs when the sympathetic nerves to the eye are disrupted, leading to signs like a droopy eyelid, smaller pupil, and elevation of the third eyelid (as seen here).

At Veterinary Eye Institute, we know these subtle changes can point to a bigger underlying issue—ranging from ear disease to nerve injury. That’s why a thorough ophthalmic exam is key to getting answers and protecting your pet’s vision.

See something unusual with your pet’s eyes? Don’t wait—early evaluation makes all the difference.

04/13/2026

Jasper is an Orange Winged Amazon seen in VEI Gainesville that was diagnosed with corneal crystalline opacities and immature cataracts in both eyes (with the cataract in the right eye being more progressed than the one in the left). Inflammation to address secondary lens induced uveitis with a topical anti-inflammatory was initiated in the right eye.

04/11/2026

🐾✨ Happy National Pet Day! ✨🐾

Today we’re celebrating all the pets who brighten our lives—and the gift of healthy vision that lets them explore the world around them. 👁️💙

From catching their favorite toy to making loving eye contact, clear vision plays a big role in their happiness and quality of life. Our team is honored to help protect and care for those precious eyes every day.

Give your pet an extra cuddle today… and don’t forget to keep an eye out for signs of vision changes like redness, squinting, or discharge.

We’d love to see your pets—share a photo below and tell us what makes them special! 🐶🐱🐾

04/09/2026

Brady was presented for a large ulcerated mass on his upper left eyelid. Owner was provided with two options: surgical remove the mass under general anesthesia in order to remove the mass in its entirety or a mass debulking (with cryotherapy or freezing) under heavy sedation. Owner elected the sedated procedure and this is exactly 2 weeks after the procedure! We are pleased with his postoperative comfort and results! Owner elected to not submit mass for histopathology but will continue to monitor for recurrence. 👁️

04/08/2026

🐾👁️ Veterinary Eye Institute

Understanding the Drainage Angle in Dogs

At Veterinary Eye Institute – Ophthalmology for Animals, we focus on the small structures that make a BIG difference in your pet’s vision 👁️✨

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💧 What is the drainage angle?

The drainage angle (iridocorneal angle) is where fluid inside the eye drains out. This fluid is constantly produced, so proper drainage is essential to keep eye pressure normal.

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⚠️ Why it matters

When the drainage angle is:
• Open & functioning → Normal eye pressure ✅
• Narrow or blocked → Pressure builds → Risk of glaucoma 🚨

Glaucoma is painful and can cause permanent vision loss if not treated quickly.

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🧬 Who is at risk?

Some breeds are predisposed to abnormal drainage angles:
• Cocker Spaniels
• Basset Hounds
• Beagles
• Siberian Huskies

Early screening is key for these patients!

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🔬 How we evaluate it

We perform a specialized exam called gonioscopy to assess the drainage angle and identify dogs at risk before problems develop.

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🚨 Signs to watch for
• Redness
• Squinting or discomfort
• Cloudy/blue eye
• Sudden vision changes

👉 These can be signs of increased eye pressure and require immediate attention

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❤️ Our mission

At Veterinary Eye Institute, we’re here to protect your pet’s vision through early detection, advanced diagnostics, and compassionate care.

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📞 Schedule an exam today
📍 Ophthalmology for Animals
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