Ophthalmology at Our Brachycephalic Care Unit (BCU)

Brachycephalic dogs are prone to a wide variety of ocular surface diseases and at VSS Jindalee we have not one, but two Specialist Ophthalmologists. 

Brachycephalic patients that come to VSS Jindalee's Brachycephalic Care Unit (BCU) via our ophthalmic service are also treated as part of our BCU. Patients anaesthetised for elective ophthalmic procedures receive an airway examination by a Surgeon and the owner and referring veterinarian are given a report. Vice versa, for elective airway surgery, a brachycephalic patient will receive an ophthalmic exam and report (something that is not easy in the awake brachycephalic!).

What ophthalmic conditions are brachycephalic dogs prone to that we commonly see at the BCU?

• Abnormally prominent eyes that are insufficiently protected by their eyelids (lagophthalmos).
• Increased incidence of hairs contacting the cornea from nasal fold trichiasis (normal hairs orientated towards the eye), medial canthal entropion (lids rolling in) and hairy caruncles (hair growing from conjunctiva at the medial canthus).
• Persistently overexposed cornea from macroblepharon (oversized opening between the upper and lower eyelids).
• Increased risk of traumatic proptosis (eyeball prolapse out of the eye socket getting trapped in front of the eyelids).
• Distichiasis and ectopic cilia (extra lashes implanted in the wrong location and causing direct trauma to the cornea).
• Reduced corneal innervation and sensitivity, which reduces blinking, tear production and impedes corneal healing.
• Prolapsed gland (cherry eye) and folded cartilage of the third eyelids.

For more information on our BCU, or for help with your brachycephalic patients, please phone VSS Jindalee on 07 3193 6500.