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Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

Our Renton and Kirkland veterinarians use various diagnostic tools in our veterinary hospital to allow your pets to see clearly, and maintain their eye health.

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Full Veterinary Ophthalmology Diagnostics in Renton & Kirkland

Northwest Animal Eye Specialists is fully equipped to perform eye examinations and animal eye surgery. We also have two types of instruments available to determine the indirect blood pressure of our patients, either suspected as being hypertensive or for anesthesia monitoring.

We are proud of our state-of-the-art veterinary diagnostic lab and are happy to take you on a tour in person if you are interested.

Veterinary  Diagnostics Lab

Our Ophthalmology Diagnostic Equipment

With our in-house veterinary diagnostics lab, we are pleased to offer advanced diagnostic testing to allow our vets to provide an accurate diagnosis of your pet's ocular issues.

  • Slit-lamp Biomicroscopes

    A slit lamp is a microscope with a bright light used during an eye exam. It gives our veterinary ophthalmologists a closer look at the different structures at the front of your pet's eye and inside the eye. It’s a key tool in determining the health of your eyes and detecting eye disease.

  • Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscopes

    Indirect ophthalmoscopy is done by ophthalmologists and optometrists to examine the retina as well as the optic nerve, vessels, and macula lutea. The entire fundus or back of the eye can be seen with this instrument.

  • Direct Ophthalmoscope

    A direct ophthalmoscope, or simply an ophthalmoscope, is a hand-held optical instrument used to inspect the fundus or back of the eye.

    The ophthalmoscope contains a handle with a rechargeable battery and a detachable head that contains a bulb, a light source, and a set of lenses. The view provided by the ophthalmoscope is monocular and is magnified about 15 times.

  • Tono-Pen

    The Tono-Pen measures intraocular pressure and is designed to help eliminate operator error and functions in any position, making it ideal to use on all breeds of animals. Activated by the push of a button, the intraocular pressure measurement is displayed on two large, easy-to-read, LCD screens and can be used by right or left-handed users.

  • TonoVet Tonometers

    The use of tonometry to measure Intraocular Pressure (IOP) is for screening of glaucoma in veterinary patients. It utilizes a new technology called “rebound” tonometry. At the push of a button, a tiny probe painlessly and rapidly reaches out and touches the cornea. Six rapid measurements are successively taken within seconds.

    It can be used on all veterinary patients including horses, it's self-calibrating with its own software, it is easy to use and fully automated, and it provides faster results.

  • Gonioscopic Lenses

    Gonioscopy is performed during the eye exam to evaluate the internal drainage system of the eye, also referred to as the anterior chamber angle. The "angle" is where the cornea and the iris meet. This is the location where fluid inside the eye drains out of the eye and into the venous system.

    Under normal circumstances, the angle cannot be seen on exam. A special contact lens prism placed on the surface of the eye allows visualization of the angle and drainage system.

  • Computerized Electroretinographic (ERG) Equipment

    This is an eye test that detects the function of the retina (the light-detecting portion of the eye). Specifically, the ERG picks up electrical signals from photoreceptors and other cells. Abnormal ERG readings can detect certain abnormalities of these cells. During the test, your vet will place an electrode on the front of the eye to measure the electrical responses to light of these cells.

  • Ocular Ultrasound Machine

    An ocular ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to measure and produce detailed images of your eye and eye orbit (the socket in your skull that holds your eye). This test provides a much more detailed view of the inside of your eye than a routine eye exam.

  • Zeiss Operating Microscope

    When your vet can see more they can make better decisions during retina, cataract, glaucoma, and corneal surgeries. ZEISS ophthalmic microscopes provide an outstanding visualization of the eye, with excellent ergonomics and integrated assistance functions.

  • Diode Endolaser Unit

    This unit is used for laser therapy and has interchangeable laser probes. Laser therapy, also known as photobiomodulation, is used by our vets most commonly for glaucoma surgery but also for treatment of some types of retinal detachments and eye tumors.

  • Nitrous Oxide Cryosurgical Unit

    A nitrous oxide cryosurgical unit for treatment of tumors and extraction of dislocated lenses.

  • Endolaser Unit

    We are blessed to have our endolaser unit as it is still the minority of private ophthalmology practices that have this relatively-new equipment. Our CO2 laser allows for removal of some eyelid tumors without the need for general anesthesia. This is particularly advantageous for elderly pets.

  • Phacoemulsification Unit

    Our brand new phacoemulsification unit allows cataract removal through a small incision. Intraocular lenses are used to provide optimal vision after surgical removal of the lens.

  • Orbital Prosthetics

    Orbital prosthetics are available for some cases that require eye removal.

General Anesthesia

We make every effort to make general anesthesia as safe as possible. Our comprehensive set of anesthetic monitors helps to achieve this goal. 

Our monitors consist of a pulse oximeter, electrocardiograph (ECG), end-tidal CO2 monitor, blood pressure unit, and a nerve stimulator. Only isoflurane or sevoflurane gases are used. A ventilator is available to ensure the adequacy of respirations in our anesthetized patients.

New Patients Welcome By Referral

Northwest Animal Eye Specialists is accepting new patients! Our experienced vets are passionate about the eye health of animals. Talk to your vet today about getting a referral to our clinics serving patients from Renton, Kirkland, and the surrounding areas.

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