![[Service Dog Eye Exam]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/pc-acvo-service-exam-martins-260x157.jpg)
Register Online, Then Call Illinois for Appointment Every May since 2008, veterinary ophthalmologists across the country have volunteered their time to provide free eye examinations for service animals. The annual event, which is organized by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) and Stokes Pharmacy, has provided screening for about 60,000 animals. Drs. Bianca Martins...
![[Bianca Martins with cataract patient]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/pc-martins-cataract-260x157.jpg)
Surgery significantly improves quality of life “Both people and dogs get cataracts. Cataracts are an increased opacity, or cloudiness, of the lens of the eye, causing impaired vision,” says Dr. Bianca Martins, a veterinary ophthalmologist at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana. The lens is a hard structure that sits around the...
![[closeup photo of a horse's eye]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/pc-eye-ulcer-martins-260x157.jpg)
Eye drop-based treatment may replace surgery Eyes are amazing structures. They have adapted in different ways to suit individual species. For example, because horses are a prey species, their eyes are on the sides of their head, which enables them to achieve a visual field of 350 degrees—almost all the way around them. On the...
![[Dr. Bianca da Costa Martins examines a dog's eyes]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/pc-martins-graft4-260x157.jpg)
Corneal transplants have a high success rate “The purpose of this bank is to have corneas available for patients that would benefit from a corneal graft,” explains Dr. Martins. “That includes horses with an abscess in one of the layers of the cornea as well as horses and dogs with such conditions as deep corneal...
Equine recurrent uveitis is the most common reason horses go blind. After suffering repeated episodes of uveitis – an inflammation inside the eye – Chic lost sight in her left eye. Although partial blindness did not stop Chic from being ridden by the young girl who was her owner, the eye did cause the horse...
Pigmentary keratopathy (PK) is the most prevelant eye disease of the pug breed. With their playful spirit, passion to please, and zest for life, pugs are one of the most loved and celebrated breeds. Originating around 400 B.C., pugs have wagged their way into homes from Buddhist monasteries in ancient China and royal castles of medieval England to...