The Ophthalmology Team  

The RVC has a long-standing commitment to ophthalmology – and the clinical interventions that are offered to animals have always been informed by the latest clinical research in the field.

A key figure in the evolution of ophthalmology at the RVC was Professor Peter Bedford, who spent four decades here, having come as an undergraduate and, in 1974, gained a PhD related to canine glaucoma. He was the RVC’s first ever Lecturer in Ophthalmology. Professor Bedford’s work laid the foundations for what can be done by veterinary ophthalmologists now.

The RVC’s contribution to ophthalmology was strengthened with the appointment, in 2011, of Rick Sanchez, who headed a re-launched service and established a European College of Veterinary Ophthalmology residency programme. Charlotte Dawson became the first resident, in 2012, and later went on to become a Senior Lecturer in Ophthalmology and Head of Service.

Team expansion   

Since 2011, there have been numerous developments in staff capacity, techniques and technologies, which have enabled our team to help a great number of animals. Since 2011 more than 12,000 patients have been through the Ophthalmology Service. This has included a wide variety of exotics species, horses and reindeer – not to mention a very large number of dogs, cats and rabbits.

We have had a dedicated ophthalmology nurse for several years, who has supported our growing caseload and improved continuity of care for patients and clients. The RVN assists in consults, performs admissions and discharges and attends service meetings and resident training sessions.

Due to the evolution of ophthalmology treatments, the proportion of visits that are outpatient appointments has increased significantly. We have had an ophthalmology nurse clinic since last year, allowing our nursing team to perform straightforward rechecks under the supervision of a senior ophthalmologist.

The current size of the Ophthalmology Service is seven senior clinicians, four residents and our RVN, Lottie-Louise Osborne.

Research, evolution and efficiency   

The team is actively involved in ophthalmology research, which both informs and evolves practice. For example, the RVC’s Corneal Lab (2022) is led by Christiane Kafarnik, who conducted a PhD related to corneal stromal stem cells in dogs (UCL), with the aim to develop ex vivo corneal disease models and develop further research into corneal scarring.

Developments in research and technology supported the expanded team in delivering a greater range of services, efficiently – and often more affordably for clients.

There has been a steady evolution of techniques over the years, which have improved the efficacy of procedures and reduced recovery times. The timeline below includes a selection of interesting cases, as well as developments in technology and staff capacity.

Timeline     

1970s to 2000

• Peter Bedford is awarded a PhD for studies on canine glaucoma in 1974 and was awarded the RCVS Fellowship for work on aqueous dynamics in dogs in 1976. He received the BSAVA’s Simon (1977), Bourgelat (1986) and Blaine (1995) awards for work in veterinary ophthalmology.

2011 to 2012   

• The Ophthalmology Service was re-established, with the appointment of Rick Sanchez. As well as taking dog, cat and rabbit referrals at the QMHA, Rick began to collaborate with the Equine Referral Hospital team.
• Charlotte Dawson became the service’s first ophthalmology specialist-in-training (resident).
• The RVC's charity the Animal Care Trust (ACT) supported the purchase of a diode laser, which expanded the available treatments and improved welfare through minimally invasive surgery. 

2014  

• The Exotics Service was established, with the appointment of Joanna Hedley. Ophthalmology has collaborated with Exotics ever since.

2015   

• The RVC Corneal Tissue Bank (which enables corneal transplant) was established, with support from the Animal Care Trust. 

2018   

• The service performed pioneering reconstructive surgery and cryotherapy on an equine eyelid tumour. Such a case had never before been documented in scientific literature.

2019   

• Members of the Ophthalmology Service were founding members of the RVC’s Brachycephalic Interdisciplinary Research Team, established to co-ordinate and disseminate research on brachycephalic companion animals.

2020    

• A new operating microscope, funded by the ACT, enabled the team to offer procedures available within very few centres in Europe.
• The service began offering corneal cross-linking, a cost-effective alternative to surgical treatment. The cross-linking machine was funded by the Animal Care Trust.

2021   

• The Ophthalmology and Exotics services collaborate on the case of George, a pet rhea, who presented with left-sided periocular swelling.
• The Ophthalmology Service and Exotics Service collaborated on the first recorded cataract surgery on a guinea pig in the UK.

2022   

• The RVC Ophthalmology team commenced research into the antibacterial effect of cross-linking on corneas and conjunctiva of canine patients with infectious ulcerative keratitis.
• Exotics and ophthalmology specialists collaborated on a study of risk factors for dacryocystitis in pet rabbits.

2023 to 2024   

• Snowflake, a nine-year-old reindeer, received treatment from the RVC Ophthalmology Service at the Equine Referral Hospital, for a neoplastic lesion of the third eyelid using cutting-edge equipment funded by the Holliday Foundation. 
• The ophthalmology nurse clinic is established.

2025 and beyond   

• The Ophthalmology team has been reviewing the current literature on the use of platelet-rich plasma as a potential alternative to serum eye drops. Based on encouraging reports in other species, the team has decided to begin using plasma in clinical cases and hopes to formally evaluate its efficacy through future research.
• Experimental UV-C light therapy for corneal ulcers is being researched by members of the team.