Services
Denise Brudenall | Frequently Asked QuestionsDenise Brudenall
Denise graduated from Cambridge University in 1987 and worked in veterinary practice in the UK for 5 years before relocating to Australia. Denise then worked in veterinary practice in Perth and Canberra, before starting a full time Ophthalmology Residency at Animal Eye Services, Brisbane at the start of 2005.
Denise's post graduate qualifications include:
- Certificate in Veterinary Radiology, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons 1991
- Masters in Veterinary Science, Murdoch University 1995
- Membership in Small Animal Medicine, Australian College of Veterinary Scientists 1996
- Certificate in Veterinary Ophthalmology, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons 2004
- Fellowship in Veterinary Ophthalmology, Australian College of Veterinary Scientists 2008
Denise is now a Registered Specialist in Veterinary Ophthalmology and Director of Eye Care for Animals based at Veterinary Specialist Services, 104 Eastlake Street, Carrara, Queensland, 4211.
Hours of Operation
Normal hours: Monday – Friday 8 am to 6 pm
After hours and public holidays: An after hours service is available for emergency cases.
Call 07 5530 6370 if you have an emergency.
Services Available
Full ophthalmic eye examination including intraocular pressure measurement and gonioscopy
The consultation includes a thorough assessment of both eyes using specialised ophthalmic equipment. This allows a detailed and magnified view of the outer and inner eye.
Intraocular pressure measurement is an important part of the eye examination, particularly in cases of inflammation and glaucoma. Glaucoma is a complex disease process that involves loss of vision in association with increased pressure within the eye. Regular monitoring of the intraocular pressure is important as part of the management protocol of glaucoma and to control ocular pain.
Gonioscopy is a technique that involves using a special lens, a goniolens, which is placed onto the surface of the eye after topical anaesthesia to examine the filtration angle of the eye. Abnormalities of the filtration angle can be associated with reduced drainage of aqueous humour from the eye.
Surgery for eyelid or periocular abnormalities including reconstructive eyelid surgery
Eyelid surgery is performed to correct eyelid conformation, to remove extra hairs associated with the eyelid margin or to remove masses or tumours involving the eyelid or surrounding tissue. Reconstructive surgery is required if removal of the eyelid mass will cause distortion of the eyelid.
An overlong eyelid can result in rolling in of the margin and lead to eyelid hair rubbing directly on the cornea. This is an abnormality of conformation termed entropion. Entropion causes discomfort and often results in corneal ulceration. Surgery is performed to allow correct apposition of the eyelid margin with the cornea.
Distichiasis is the term given to hairs that grow from the glands of the eyelid margin. This condition is more common in certain breeds of dog, and surgery can be performed to permanently remove these hairs if they are causing corneal irritation or ulceration.
Microsurgery for corneal or intraocular disease
All microsurgery is performed using an operating microscope. This provides considerable magnification and allows the surgeon to use fine instruments and suture material.
For example, the degree of magnification allows cataract removal to be performed through only a 3.2 mm incision into the eye.
Cataract extraction by Phacoemulsification
A cataract is a cloudiness of the clear lens within the eye. A cataract can develop in one or both eyes but does not spread from one eye to the other.
Surgery is the only effective treatment to remove a cataract, and is best performed when the cloudiness within the lens is sufficient to affect vision but before the lens becomes hardened and mineralised. The technique of Phacoemulsification is performed through a 3.2 mm incision into the eye. An ultrasonic handpiece breaks up the cataractous lens which is then removed from the eye by suction. After the natural lens has been removed it is replaced by an artificial lens, if suitable.
Cataract surgery is successful in restoring vision in the majority of cases. All cases need to be examined and evaluated for suitability prior to scheduling surgery.
Electroretinography for assessment of retinal function
Electroretinography measures the electrical activity of the retina. The healthy retina is composed of many hundreds of thousands of cells, called photoreceptors, which emit an electrical impulse in response to light. The ‘health’ of the retina can be assessed by recording the total amount of electrical activity produced by these photoreceptors.
During the electroretinogram, a measured amount of light is directed into the eye and the electrical response of the retina detected by a contact lens electrode on the cornea. The test is repeated at differing light intensities to assess each type of photoreceptor.
Indications for electroretinography include animals with vision loss and a normal appearing retina on examination, and animals with cataracts where the cataract obscures visual examination of the retina.
Ocular ultrasound and Helical Computed Tomography (CT) for ocular or orbital disease
An ocular ultrasound examination is used to evaluate the posterior aspect of an eye when changes within the eye prevent direct visualisation during an ophthalmic examination, and to examine the tissues surrounding the eye. Ultrasonography is not painful and is performed by placing the ultrasound probe directly onto the eye after local anaesthesia of the cornea.
A CT is performed to examine the soft tissue and bone surrounding the eye in high detail. This is used in cases where the eye is displaced by a mass within the orbit and to determine the area to biopsy for histopathology or culture.
A CT examination is performed under general anaesthesia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question:
Do I need a referral?
Answer:
Your regular veterinarian is the first person who should examine your animal’s eye if there is any change of appearance or sign of pain, and they can determine if referral is indicated. Your veterinarian may also contact Eye Care for Animals for advice on how to manage your animal’s eye if necessary, and to discuss treatment options.
Question:
Will my dog be able to see again after cataract surgery?
Answer:
Cataracts are one of the leading causes of blindness in animals, especially in purebred dogs. Cataract surgery is highly successful in restoring vision to previously blind animals in the majority of cases. Surgery can be performed to restore vision providing there are no other abnormalities within the eye. However, you need to be informed of the details of the surgery, potential complications and the important post operative care required for your animal, before surgery is undertaken.
Question:
Do animals see in colour?
Answer:
The majority of domestic animals do see in colour. For example, the retinal receptors in dogs and cats suggest they perceive mainly yellow and blue colours rather than the yellow, blue and red colours seen by humans. Most domestic animals rely more on contrast and movement in their visual perception than the actual colour. The retinal receptors of birds suggest they see in more vivid colours than humans, including vision in the ultraviolet spectrum.
Question:
Can animals lead a normal life if they are blind?
Answer:
Unfortunately they are some ocular conditions that result in blindness despite treatment. Animals who lose vision suddenly take time to adjust to their blindness and have difficulty in navigating around their usual environment initially. Animals who lose vision slowly have time to develop a more acute sense of smell and hearing, to allow them to navigate very skillfully. The majority of pets can lead a very happy and normal life as blind animals. Your individual situation will be discussed, especially if your blind animal is a horse or large animal.
Question:
What do I do if I have an emergency?
Answer:
Contact your regular veterinarian immediately for advice and inform them of the change in your animal’s eye. Avoid waiting to see if the change will ‘go away on its own’, especially if there is trauma to the eye or tissue around the eye, or a sudden change in appearance. Apply a damp flannel and very gentle pressure to the site to protect damaged eyelids or an eye that prolapses forward in front of the eyelids, while your animal is being transported to the veterinary hospital.
