Page 6 - RVC Clinical Connections - Summer 2025

RVC RESEARCH STUDY VETERINARY SERVICES RVC.AC.UK
Ophthalmology
THE OPHTHALMOLOGY SERVICE GOES
FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

The Ophthalmology Team

he RVC has a long-standing The RVC’s contribution to ophthalmology Since 2011 more than 12,000 patients have
commitment to ophthalmology – was strengthened with the appointment, been through the Ophthalmology Service.
T and the clinical interventions that in 2011, of Rick Sanchez, who headed This has included a wide variety of exotics
are offered to animals have always been a re-launched service and established species, horses and reindeer – not to
informed by the latest clinical research in a European College of Veterinary mention a very large number of dogs, cats
the field. Ophthalmology residency programme. and rabbits.
A key figure in the evolution of Charlotte Dawson became the first resident, We have had a dedicated ophthalmology
ophthalmology at the RVC was Professor in 2012, and later went on to become a nurse for several years, who has supported
Peter Bedford, who spent four decades Senior Lecturer in Ophthalmology and Head our growing caseload and improved
here, having come as an undergraduate of Service. continuity of care for patients and clients.
and, in 1974, gained a PhD related to The RVN assists in consults, performs
canine glaucoma. He was the RVC’s first Team expansion admissions and discharges and attends
ever Lecturer in Ophthalmology. Professor Since 2011, there have been numerous service meetings and resident training
Bedford’s work laid the foundations for what developments in staff capacity, techniques sessions.
can be done by veterinary ophthalmologists and technologies, which have enabled our
now. team to help a great number of animals.

The Ophthalmology Service
was re-established, with the The RVC Corneal Tissue Members of the Ophthalmology The Ophthalmology and Exotics Snowflake, a nine-year-old
appointment of Rick Sanchez. Bank (which enables corneal Service were founding members services collaborate on the case reindeer, received treatment from
As well as taking dog, cat and transplant) was established, of the RVC’s Brachycephalic of George, a pet rhea, who the RVC Ophthalmology Service
rabbit referrals at the QMHA, with support from the RVC’s Interdisciplinary Research Team, presented with left-sided at the Equine Referral Hospital,
Rick began to collaborate with charity the Animal Care Trust established to co-ordinate and periocular swelling. for a neoplastic lesion of the third
the Equine Referral Hospital team. (ACT). disseminate research on eyelid.
brachycephalic companion The Ophthalmology Service and
Charlotte Dawson became the animals. Exotics Service collaborated on The ophthalmology nurse clinic
service’s first ophthalmology the first recorded cataract surgery is established.
specialist-in-training (resident). on a guinea pig in the UK.

1970s 2011 2023 2025
to to 2014 2015 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 to and
2000 2012 2024 beyond

Peter Bedford is awarded a PhD The Exotics Service The service performed A new operating microscope, The RVC Ophthalmology team The Ophthalmology team has
for studies on canine glaucoma in was established, with the pioneering reconstructive funded by the ACT, enabled commenced research into the been reviewing the current
1974 and was awarded the RCVS appointment of Joanna surgery and cryotherapy on the team to offer procedures antibacterial effect of cross-linking literature on the use of
Fellowship for work on aqueous Hedley. Ophthalmology has an equine eyelid tumour. Such available within very few on corneas and conjunctiva of platelet-rich plasma as a potential
dynamics in dogs in 1976. collaborated with Exotics ever a case had never before been centres in Europe. canine patients with infectious alternative to serum eye drops.
He received the BSAVA’s Simon since. documented in scientific literature. ulcerative keratitis. Based on encouraging reports
(1977), Bourgelat (1986) and The service began offering in other species, the team has
Blaine (1995) awards for work corneal cross-linking, a Exotics and ophthalmology decided to begin using plasma
in veterinary ophthalmology. cost-effective alternative specialists collaborated on a study in clinical cases and hopes to
to surgical treatment. The of risk factors for dacryocystitis in formally evaluate its efficacy
cross-linking machine was pet rabbits. through future research.
funded by the ACT.
Experimental UV-C light therapy
for corneal ulcers is being
researched by members of the
team.

6 Summer 2025