Veterinary Emergency Care Australia
Veterinary Ophthalmology at VECA
When your pet has an eye problem, it can move fast, and the right care makes a real difference to their comfort and vision. Veterinary ophthalmology is the area of veterinary medicine focused on the eyes: diagnosing and treating eye conditions in dogs, cats and other animals, from everyday problems through to complex disease and surgery.
At VECA, our veterinary ophthalmology service is delivered in partnership with Eye Clinic for Animals (ECA), one of the busiest ophthalmology practices in Australia, which runs at our Campbelltown animal hospital by appointment. What VECA adds is the hospital around it: on-site diagnostic imaging, a full in-house laboratory, surgery and anaesthesia support, and 24/7 emergency care under one roof. This page covers what veterinary ophthalmology involves, the eye conditions treated, the diagnostics and surgery available, what to expect at an appointment, and how referrals work.
What Veterinary Ophthalmology Is
Veterinary ophthalmology is the branch of animal eye care that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions. Your regular vet manages many everyday eye problems, but some conditions need the equipment, training and surgical options of a dedicated ophthalmology service, which is when your vet may refer you.
A veterinary ophthalmologist is a veterinarian who has completed advanced training in the eye and holds registered specialist status. The ophthalmology service at VECA is provided by the team at Eye Clinic for Animals, who are registered specialists in this field. Our role at VECA is to host that service within a full veterinary hospital and to provide the emergency, imaging and anaesthesia support that eye patients often need.
We care for a range of animals, primarily dogs and cats, and the service covers eyes affected by disease, injury and inherited conditions. This page is general information about the service, not a diagnosis or veterinary advice for your individual pet.
Eye Conditions We Treat
The ophthalmology service assesses and treats a wide range of eye conditions in pets, including:
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Cataracts, glaucoma and retinal disease: clouding of the lens, raised intraocular pressure, and conditions affecting the retina and the back of the eye, which can threaten vision.
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Corneal ulcers, dry eye and conjunctivitis: damage or disease of the corneal surface, reduced tear production, and inflammation of the tissues around the eye.
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Eyelid conditions, cherry eye and eye trauma: problems with the eyelids and their position, prolapse of the third eyelid gland, and injuries to the eye.
Some of these, such as glaucoma and lens luxation, can be painful and can move quickly, so they are best assessed sooner rather than later. If your pet's eye problem happens after hours, VECA's emergency team is available around the clock to help.
Diagnostics and Surgery
Getting the diagnosis right is the first step, and the ophthalmology service uses a full eye examination and diagnostic testing to work out what is going on: assessing vision, measuring intraocular pressure, checking tear production, and examining the front and back of the eye.
From there, treatment may be medical, surgical, or a combination. Cataract surgery is one of the more common eye procedures and a frequent reason for referral, and the ophthalmology team also performs a range of other procedures across the eyelids, corneas and lenses.
This is where the hospital setting matters. Because the service runs inside VECA, it has on-site digital x-ray and ultrasound, a full in-house laboratory, and anaesthesia and surgical support, with 24/7 emergency care if a patient needs closer monitoring. For older pets or those with other health conditions, having that support in the same building is a genuine advantage.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
Ophthalmology consultations at VECA are by appointment at our Campbelltown hospital. Here is roughly how a visit goes.
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Before the appointment, the team reviews your pet's history, ideally with input from your regular vet, so they understand the background before you arrive.
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The examination and diagnosis: a thorough eye examination and any needed diagnostic tests, then a clear explanation of what has been found. You are welcome to stay with your pet during the examination, which often helps keep them calm.
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Your treatment plan and follow-up: the vet talks through the options, including what each involves, and agrees on a plan with you. Ongoing care is coordinated with your regular vet, so everyone stays informed.
If your pet has an eye emergency rather than a booked appointment, you do not need to wait: VECA's emergency service is walk-in, 24 hours a day, at both our Campbelltown and Norwest hospitals.
We work with Eye Clinic for Animals (ECA) to deliver exceptional veterinary ophthalmology services. As one of the busiest veterinary ophthalmology practices in Australia, ECA uses the most advanced techniques available in the world to diagnose and treat conditions of the eye in small, large and exotic animals. Services provided include but are not limited to:
Specialist ophthalmology services available
At VECA.
Referrals and Our Team
The VECA ophthalmology service works for two groups: pet owners whose animal has an eye problem, and referring vets who want an ophthalmology option for their patients, backed by a full hospital.
For referring vets
We welcome ophthalmology referrals, and our team is available 24/7 for emergency and after-hours support as well. We keep communication clear and coordinate ongoing care so your patient comes back to you, with the specialist ophthalmology work delivered through our partners at Eye Clinic for Animals.
For pet owners
Because ophthalmology consultations are by appointment, the best first step is usually a chat with your regular vet, who can refer your pet to the service.
Worried about your pet's eyes? For ophthalmology appointments, ask your vet for a referral to VECA, or contact our team. For an eye emergency, walk in any time. Our Campbelltown and Norwest hospitals are open 24/7.
Frequently Asked Questions
Eye problems are easier to manage when they are seen early. For a veterinary ophthalmology appointment, ask your regular vet for a referral to VECA, or get in touch with our team. For an eye emergency, walk straight into our Campbelltown or Norwest hospital, open 24 hours a day, every day. This page is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment advice for your individual pet.