Essentials of Small Animal Ophthalmology

Eye cases have a way of making you second-guess yourself - the red eye that could be a few different things, the ulcer you're not sure needs surgery, the sudden blindness with no obvious cause. The hard part was never knowing the conditions exist - it's having a plan you trust so you're not hesitating every time one walks in. That's what this course gives you: a clear way to examine, diagnose and treat the eye cases you'll actually see, so you always know what you're looking at and what to do next.

What you'll learn, week by week

Week 1

Ophthalmic Examination & Diagnostics

A clear system for every eye case.

Eye exams can feel unclear and rushed, especially when you're not sure what to look for first. In this module, you'll learn a clear, step-by-step way to approach every eye case.

You'll learn how to:

• Take a focused ophthalmic history
• Perform a full eye exam in the correct order

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• Use fluorescein stain and tonometry correctly
• Avoid common mistakes that lead to missed findings

Real case examples will show you how to apply this in practice. By the end, you'll have a clear system for every consultation.

Week 2

Glaucoma

Recognise it early. Treat it confidently.

This lecture provides a comprehensive overview of, and differentiates between, primary and secondary glaucoma, focusing on the physiological effects of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). We provide practical diagnostic tips, guidance on case selection, and a review of both medical and surgical treatment options including shunts, laser surgery and enucleation. The session also highlights strategies for effective client communication to ensure long-term treatment compliance.

You'll learn how to:

• Recognise early signs of glaucoma
• Measure and interpret intraocular pressure

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• Tell the difference between primary and secondary glaucoma
• Start treatment quickly
• Know when referral or surgery is needed

By the end, you'll feel more confident making decisions in these cases.

Week 3

Ophthalmic Emergencies

Know what needs action now.

This session equips veterinary professionals with a practical framework for diagnosing and managing urgent ocular conditions.

You'll learn how to:

• Recognise common eye emergencies
• Assess severity and vision quickly

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• Decide what needs immediate action
• Manage cases like orbital abnormalities, corneal lacerations, uveitis, lens luxations, glaucoma and retinal detachments
• Differentiate between cases requiring medical management and those needing immediate surgical intervention, enhancing clinical confidence and patient outcomes

Case examples will guide you step by step so you don't hesitate when it matters.

Week 4

Corneal Disease & Ulcers

Know what you're looking at.

Many corneal cases look similar, but treatment is very different. This module helps you understand what you're seeing.

You'll learn how to:

• Tell the difference between stromal ulcers and descemetoceles
• Decide when debridement is enough and when surgery is needed

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• Recognise melting ulcers early and manage them safely
• Understand current treatment options and when to use them
• Choose clear, safe treatment plans you can apply in practice
• Identify common corneal diseases such as pannus and lipid or calcium deposits
• Tell the difference between conditions that look similar but need different treatment

By the end, you'll feel more confident managing these cases.

Week 5

Posterior Segment & Retinal Disease

Make sense of the back of the eye.

The back of the eye can feel difficult to assess, especially in cases of vision loss. In this module, you'll learn a clear and structured way to approach the posterior segment.

You'll learn how to:

• Perform a basic fundic exam with confidence
• Recognise common retinal lesions

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• Identify systemic diseases that affect the eye
• Tell the difference between ocular and neurological causes of blindness
• Approach conditions like SARDS (Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome) in a clear and practical way

By the end, you'll feel more confident examining the fundus and understanding what you're seeing in real cases.

You don't have to take our word for it. Here are a few words from vets and students who have already joined.

Want to hear more from our vets? See all testimonials

Pick your start date and save your spot

We run Essentials of Small Animal Ophthalmology in small guided cohorts so Dr Sheahan and the team can properly support everyone and answer real clinical questions along the way. Enrolment for the next cohort is open now, and you get full access the day yours begins - so you can plan your six weeks around the shifts you're already working. Once a cohort's start date passes, the next chance to join is the following month.