Animal Retinal Surgery in Virginia Beach, VA

We Offer Advanced Retinal Reattachment at Our Virginia Beach Location

Dr. Brad Nadelstein of Animal Eye Care is one of only approximately five board certified veterinary ophthalmologists in the country to offer advanced animal reattachment surgery, which he performs at our Virginia Beach, VA location. This is a highly specialized area of veterinary ophthalmology and, due in large part to the amount of time and skill required to conduct these surgeries, very few veterinary hospitals in the United States offer this treatment.

Dr. Nadelstein has over 12 years of experience specifically in this area. He understands the many complex challenges animal retinal surgery presents, as well as how to skillfully and safely work for optimal results for his patients.

To learn more, or to request a consultation with Dr. Nadelstein regarding veterinary retinal surgery for your pet in Virginia Beach, give us a call at (800) 608-9161. We look forward to hearing from you!

Retinal Detachment in Animals: Signs, Causes & Risk Factors

Retinal detachment is, as the name suggests, when the neurosensory retina and the layer beneath it separate. This typically occurs as a result of a retinal tear or the buildup of fluid, proteins, or other materials behind the retina which pushes the retina forward. Retinal detachment can also occur as a result of traction.

The primary symptom of retinal detachment in animals is blindness. An experienced veterinary ophthalmologist can also detect clinical signs of retinal detachment, offer a diagnosis, and recommend retinal reattachment surgery if necessary.

Why does retinal detachment occur in pets? Some of the primary causes include:

• Cancer
• Congenital eye malformations
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Infections (fungal, bacterial, tick-borne, etc.)
• Intraocular inflammation
• Kidney failure
• Traumatic eye injuries
• Tumors

Additionally, certain dog breeds, specifically, are predisposed to retinal detachment. These breeds include Bichon Frises,Italian Greyhounds, Labrador Retrievers, Miniature Poodles, Shih Tzus, Whippets and others.

The Procedure

While this is a complex procedure, it is just as safe as any other ophthalmologic surgery. The procedure involves three microsurgical incisions. The vitreous gel is then removed from behind the animal’s eye, and the space is filled with perfluoro-octane, a heavy fluid that moves the retina back into its correct position. Next, the retina is reattached with the use of a laser and the perfluoro-octane is removed. The space is filled with silicone oil to hold the retina in place in order to complete the reattachment process.

According to Dr. Nadelstein, the anatomic success rate is approximately 92% and the function restoration success rate is about 75% to 85%.

Contact Us to Learn More

At Animal Eye Care, we are proud to be one of only a handful of veterinary practices in the nation to offer pet retinal surgery. Dr. Nadelstein performs retinal reattachment surgery on both dogs and cats at our Virginia Beach, VA location. If you would like to learn more about this procedure—or any of our animal eye care services in Virginia and North Carolina—we encourage you to reach out to our team today. We can help you find the right solution for your pet.

Contact us online or call (800) 608-9161 to make an appointment with Animal Eye Care today.