Ophthalmology

World-Class Eye Care for the Dogs & Cats of NYC

The Ophthalmology Service at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center provides scheduled and emergency care for companion animals with eye and vision problems. Under the direction of a renowned, board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist, we offer comprehensive diagnosis and treatment to alleviate vision disorders in dogs and cats, ensuring the highest possible quality of life.

 

New Location

1113 York Avenue (at 61st Street)

AMC’s Ophthalmology Service is now located across York Avenue from our main hospital location. Please go directly to 1113 York Avenue for all Ophthalmology appointments.

Symptoms of Eye & Vision Conditions in Pets

If your pet is displaying any of the following symptoms, it may indicate an ocular condition requiring veterinary attention:

  • Squinting or holding eye(s) shut
  • Scratching or rubbing at eye(s)
  • Excessive green or yellow discharge from your pet’s eye(s)
  • Swelling of the eye(s) or eyelid(s)
  • A change in your pet’s eye color, especially cloudiness or redness

Common clinical signs associated with vision impairment or loss in pets that may require intervention include:

  • Running into unfamiliar objects
  • Difficulty finding familiar objects (i.e. food dishes, water bowls, toys)
  • Lethargy, confusion, weakness, anxiety, depression
  • Suddenly unwilling to jump or climb
  • Unable to locate moving or stationary objects
  • Refusal to move in darkness
  • Developing aggressive behavior
  • Seeking security—“always at your feet”
  • Exaggerated “high-stepping” gait
  • Head carried low—“constantly sniffs the ground when walking”

Charitable Eye Care for Guide Dogs and Working Dogs

We are especially proud of the charitable care we provide to maintain and improve dogs’ and cats’ quality of life, including free eye exams for guide dogs, free eye exams for service and working dogs during the month of May as part of the the annual ACVO service animal eye exam event, and subsidized care for rescue animals whose health is an obstacle for their adoption.

Conditions We Treat in Dogs & Cats

Our eye care team – consisting of a doctor, a licensed veterinary technician (LVT), and a veterinary assistant – has three decades of experience treating eye conditions in dogs and cats, including:

Patient Success Story: Vanilla Bean

Ophthalmic Examination for Pets

When your pet visits the Ophthalmology Service at AMC, our eye care team begins with a thorough exam of your pet’s eye to determine the best course of treatment and care. This typically includes:

  • An assessment of your pet’s comfort and vision
  • Slitlamp biomicroscopy to evaluate the surface of your pet’s eye, iris, and lens
  • Indirect ophthalmoscopy to evaluate the back of your pet’s eye (the retina)
  • Measurement of tear production and intraocular pressure

Other diagnostic tests may be performed as needed. These can include:

  • Gonioscopy
  • Electroretinography
  • Ocular ultrasound
  • CT-scan or MRI

Ophthalmic Procedures in Pets

Under the supervision of a board-certified veterinary eye care specialist, the Ophthalmology team at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center routinely performs the following procedures for dogs, cats, and other small animals:

  • Diamond burr keratotomy to treat an indolent corneal ulcer
  • Surgical removal of eyelid tumors
  • Surgical correction of entropion
  • Surgical correction of a prolapsed gland of the third eyelid
  • A conjunctival pedicle graft or other grafting procedure to treat deep corneal ulcers or corneal perforations
  • Suturing of corneal lacerations
  • Phacofragmentation with artificial lens implantation to treat cataract
  • Transscleral lasercyclophotocoagulation to treat glaucoma
  • Insertion of an Ahmed glaucoma valve
  • Chemical ablation to treat chronic glaucoma
  • Removal of the eye
  • Insertion of an intrascleral prosthesis

Watch | Vision Loss in Dogs and Cats


Dr. Alexandra van der Woerdt, Service Head of Ophthalmology, discusses the conditions that can lead to vision loss in pets, how to recognize the signs, and potential treatment options for blinding diseases.

Hosted by the Usdan Institute for Animal Health Education

See also: Cataracts in Dogs and Cats, presented by Dr. Alexandra van der Woerdt.

Watch | Red Eyes in Dogs and Cats


There are a number of reasons your pet’s eyes may be red. Some are relatively harmless, while others are much more serious. In this webinar, Dr. Alexandra van der Woerdt, Service Head of Ophthalmology at AMC, discusses the various conditions that can lead to red eyes in dogs and cats and how it is treated.

Hosted by the Usdan Institute for Animal Health Education

Our Team

Dr. Alexandra van der Woert of the Animal Medical Center in New York City

Alexandra van der Woerdt

DVM, MS, DACVO, DECVO

Service Head of Ophthalmology
Dr. Mary Evelyn Pearsall of the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center

Mary Evelyn Pearsall

DVM

Veterinarian
Thomas Hall, Licensed Veterinary Technician, Ophthalmology Service

Thomas Hall

LVT

Ophthalmology Lead Technician
Thomas Hall, Licensed Veterinary Technician, Ophthalmology Service

Thomas Hall

LVT

Ophthalmology Lead Technician

Tom is a Licensed Veterinary Technician who obtained his degree in Veterinary Science from SUNY Canton in 1995. He worked in general practice for 12 years in his hometown in New York State before moving to Florida to work in an ophthalmology practice for 10 years. In 2016, Tom moved to New York City and has been a member of the Ophthalmology Service at AMC ever since.

Tom has a great level of experience and understanding of ophthalmology and is a member of the Academy of Veterinary Ophthalmic Technicians. Outside of work, Tom enjoys going to the theater, cooking, and relaxing at home with his rambunctious 1-year-old Boston Terrier, Boq.

Peter Pineda, Veterinary Assistant, Ophthalmology

Peter Pineda

Patient Care Assistant
Peter Pineda, Veterinary Assistant, Ophthalmology

Peter Pineda

Patient Care Assistant

Peter joined AMC in 2013 as a Clinic Assistant, where he gained experience in admissions, discharges, and facilitating communication between staff and clients. In 2016, he was promoted to the role of Overnight Assistant, working in the Emergency & Critical Care Service, Intensive Care Unit, Special Care Unit, and Diagnostic Imaging. During this time, he developed the ability to support AMC care teams handling urgent medical conditions such as seizures, labored breathing, and vertigo, among others.

In 2019, Peter began working with the Ophthalmology Service, where he encountered a variety of new challenges and learned the intricacies of ocular health. He then became a Patient Care Assistant (PCA) in this specialty, where he plays a key role in providing extended care for ophthalmology patients.

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