Veterinary Eye Institute

Veterinary Eye Institute Veterinary Eye Institute (VEI) is the leading veterinarian owned and led network of stand-alone ophthalmology practices in California, Florida, and Texas.
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Veterinary Eye Institute (VEI) is a leading veterinarian-owned and led network of stand-alone veterinary ophthalmology practices. Our mission is to make the world a more visually clear and comfortable place for pets through kind, collaborative, and compassionate care. Our board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists and highly trained teams provide advanced eye care for dogs and cats, diagnosing an

d treating a wide range of conditions including dry eye, corneal ulcers, cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal disease. We are committed to delivering the highest standard of medical and surgical care using state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment tools—so your pet receives the best possible outcome for their vision.

🐱👁️ Anterior Segment Dysgenesis (ASD) in CatsA rare congenital eye condition that affects how the front part of the eye ...
06/03/2026

🐱👁️ Anterior Segment Dysgenesis (ASD) in Cats
A rare congenital eye condition that affects how the front part of the eye develops.

At VEI Upland, we occasionally diagnose conditions that animals are born with—and Anterior Segment Dysgenesis is one of them.

The anterior segment includes important structures at the front of the eye such as the cornea, iris, lens, and drainage angle. When these structures do not form normally before birth, cats can develop changes that may affect vision and eye comfort.

🔎 Signs owners may notice:
• Cloudy or blue appearance to the eye
• Misshapen or irregular pupil
• Visible changes in iris color or shape
• Squinting or eye discomfort
• Vision changes
• Enlarged eye if secondary glaucoma develops

🐾 Why early evaluation matters:
Some cats with ASD remain comfortable with minimal vision impact, while others may develop complications like glaucoma or corneal disease that require ongoing monitoring and treatment.

💡 Fun Eye Fact:
Because ASD develops before birth, many affected cats adapt incredibly well and may not realize their vision is different!

If your cat’s eyes have looked unusual since kittenhood—or you’ve noticed changes over time—an ophthalmic exam can help determine the cause.

An eyelid mass can appear as a small bump, lump, or thickening along the eyelid and is often benign (such as a cyst or c...
06/02/2026

An eyelid mass can appear as a small bump, lump, or thickening along the eyelid and is often benign (such as a cyst or chalazion).

However, any new, persistent, or changing lesion should be evaluated to rule out more serious conditions and to guide appropriate treatment.

Early assessment helps protect both eyelid health and vision.

If you notice a new eyelid mass, schedule an eye exam for proper evaluation.

The arrows are depicting one of many distichia in our patient, Oliver. Distichia are aberrant hairs arising from meibomi...
06/01/2026

The arrows are depicting one of many distichia in our patient, Oliver. Distichia are aberrant hairs arising from meibomian gland openings that line the eyelids. These hairs are sometimes an incidental finding and don’t cause any issues and sometimes can cause irritation (excessive tearing and development of ulcers/corneal irritation). Oliver has been scheduled for surgery to address these hairs via cryotherapy (freezing of the hair follicles) as well as closure of his medial canthus to decrease corneal exposure and hairs rubbing on the cornea.

Snowy’s story is a great example of why second opinions and individualized care matter. At 11 years old, this sweet Amer...
05/31/2026

Snowy’s story is a great example of why second opinions and individualized care matter.

At 11 years old, this sweet American Eskimo dog was initially advised to monitor his eyelid masses rather than pursue surgery because of his age. One of the masses on his left eye was previously debulked elsewhere, but unfortunately it grew back. Over time, the growths began progressing rapidly and started affecting his comfort and quality of life.

Snowy ultimately underwent a more extensive surgical procedure with Dr. Christine Boss at VEI Orlando, to remove the masses. Even with a more involved surgery, he recovered incredibly well and was healing beautifully just two weeks later.

Senior pets can often tolerate procedures better than many people expect, and Snowy is proof that age alone should never be the only factor in decision-making. We’re so happy to see him feeling better!

Diagnosis for this horse seen today is a stromal abscess.Owners recently acquired this 3 year old horse and seller state...
05/29/2026

Diagnosis for this horse seen today is a stromal abscess.

Owners recently acquired this 3 year old horse and seller stated the cloudiness was from an ulcer. At some point this ulcer healed over and topical steroids were prescribed to address discomfort noted. Stromal ulcers form from bacteria and fungus (common in horses especially in Florida) becoming trapped in a cornea from a previous wound that healed over. Management for this case is aggressive topicals including broad spectrum antibiotics, antifungals, mydriatics (to control spasming of the pupillary muscles and help decrease intraocular inflammation) and oral anti-inflammatories for pain.

It’s world otter day!!Did you know otters can actually change the shape of their eye lenses to help them see underwater?...
05/27/2026

It’s world otter day!!

Did you know otters can actually change the shape of their eye lenses to help them see underwater? 🦦👀 These incredible adaptations allow otters to have clear vision both on land and while diving for food!

Fun Facts About Otter Eyes 👀🦦

* 🦦 Otters can see clearly underwater and on land
Their eyes are specially adapted to focus in both environments, helping them hunt fish and navigate rivers.

* 👁️ Otters can change the shape of their lenses
Their eye lenses become rounder underwater to help focus clearly while swimming and hunting fish. This special adaptation allows them to see much better underwater than humans can!

* 🌊 They have a protective third eyelid
Otters use a translucent membrane called a nictitating membrane like built-in swim goggles to protect their eyes underwater.

* ✨ Their pupils adjust quickly
Otters often move between bright sunlight and murky water, so their pupils can rapidly adapt to changing light conditions.

* 🐟 Whiskers + vision = perfect hunting team
Even when visibility is poor, otters combine sharp eyesight with highly sensitive whiskers to detect movement in the water.

* 🌙 Otters can see well in low light
Many otters are active at dawn and dusk, so their eyes are adapted for dim lighting conditions.

* 💙 Sea otters carefully groom around their eyes
Healthy fur helps keep them warm, and grooming keeps debris away from their sensitive eyes.

From stray to safe - this is Midnight's story 🐾 🖤 Midnight was a stray cat living in the backyard of one of our amazing ...
05/24/2026

From stray to safe - this is Midnight's story 🐾 🖤

Midnight was a stray cat living in the backyard of one of our amazing clients. He had already lost vision in his right eye due to a severe infection, and when his left eye began showing signs of trouble, our client knew he needed help fast.

Midnight was evaluated by Dr. Christine Boss at VEI Orlando and diagnosed with entropion - a painful condition where the eyelid rolls inward, causing hairs to rub against the cornea. This had led to a serious corneal ulcer and infection that was degrading his cornea. Without treatment, Midnight was at risk of losing his only visual eye.

Thanks to the quick action of his new family and the dedicated care team at VEI, Midnight received intensive medical therapy and eventually eyelid reconstructive surgery. Today, he is visual, comfortable, and enjoying the wonderful new life he deserves.

We are so grateful to everyone who played a role in Midnight’s journey. Stories like his remind us how life-changing compassionate care can be.

Yesterday our Ocala and Gainesville locations participated in Service Dog Day where free ophthalmic examinations were pr...
05/21/2026

Yesterday our Ocala and Gainesville locations participated in Service Dog Day where free ophthalmic examinations were provided for the working dogs in our community!

🦉✨ Owl Eyes: Nature’s Night Vision ExpertsVeterinary Eye Institute – UplandEver wonder how owls see so well in the dark?...
05/20/2026

🦉✨ Owl Eyes: Nature’s Night Vision Experts
Veterinary Eye Institute – Upland

Ever wonder how owls see so well in the dark? Their eyes are some of the most specialized in the animal kingdom—and they’re packed with fascinating features! 👁️🌙

🔍 Fun Facts About Owl Eyes:
• Owls don’t have true “eyeballs”—they have elongated eye tubes that help them see far distances, especially at night
• Their eyes are fixed in place, so they can’t move them like we do… that’s why they rotate their heads up to 270°!
• Owl eyes are packed with rod cells, giving them incredible low-light (night) vision
• They have a binocular field of vision, meaning both eyes face forward—just like humans—for excellent depth perception
• Some owls can see in near-total darkness, but they’re actually far-sighted, making close-up vision less sharp
• Their large pupils allow maximum light intake, giving them that iconic wide-eyed look 🖤

👁️ Why it matters:
Just like owls, animals rely heavily on healthy vision to navigate their world. At Veterinary Eye Institute Upland, we’re passionate about protecting and restoring sight in all species—because every eye matters.

📍 Located in Upland
🐾 Specialized ophthalmology care for animals

VeterinaryOphthalmology DidYouKnow AnimalVision

Address

Dallas, TX

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+19727272020

Website

https://www.veterinaryeyeinstitute.com/

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