Overview of Ophthalmic Emergencies in Small Animals

Ophthalmic emergencies require rapid diagnosis and appropriate and often aggressive treatment for maintenance of vision. However, it is critical to perform a thorough physical examination and address any systemic disease that is life-threatening before addressing the ocular emergency.

The following are ophthalmic emergencies:

• proptosis

• eyelid lacerations

• corneal foreign bodies

• corneal lacerations

• ulcerative stromal keratitis and globe ruptures

• acute glaucoma

• displacement of the lens

• acute vision loss

• sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome

• retinal detachment

In all cases, the patient's potential for vision should be assessed by performing a menace response, dazzle reflex, and direct and consensual pupillary light reflexes (PLRs). A consensual PLR (from the affected to nonaffected eye) is particularly useful when the ocular media are opaque and thus prevent assessment of a direct PLR.