VTMED 5608 - Ophthalmology Service

Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer. 2 credits. Letter grades only.

Enrollment limited to: third- and fourth-year veterinary students. Required component of Clinical Rotations (Foundation Course VI).

N. Irby, K. Knickelbein, E. Ledbetter.

A large inpatient and outpatient referral case load plus numerous inpatient consultations for other hospital services allow students to become confident acquiring the beginning skills needed for diagnostic ophthalmology. Students perform many routine ophthalmic diagnostic tests (Schirmer tear testing, fluorescein staining, tonometry) and learn and gain confidence using indirect ophthalmoscopes, slit lamps, and tonometers. Students are introduced to other ocular diagnostic tests, including culture, cytology, ultrasound, as well as more advanced diagnostic modalities according to the caseload. The rotation provides students an opportunity to observe common and uncommon therapeutic and surgical procedures. Many of the ophthalmology cases are complex referral cases but adequate routine case material is presented to prepare students for the common eye problems seen in veterinary practice. A competent ocular examination is the goal of this rotation.