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Dr. Heather Kaese | MS, DACVIM, DACVO

Veterinary Ophthalmology

Our board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist is highly skilled and experienced in diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the eye and the surrounding structures. We work closely with your family veterinarian and will develop a comprehensive treatment plan that will best suit your pet’s specific health needs. We offer state-of-the-art facilities, fully-equipped surgical suites, and our exceptional staff all of whom are dedicated to ensuring that every patient receives the most extensive and advanced care available.

Heather Kaese veterinarian
Dr. Heather Kaese | MS, DACVIM, DACVO

Veterinary Ophthalmology

Our board certified veterinary ophthalmologist is highly skilled and experienced in diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the eye and the surrounding structures. We work closely with your primary care veterinarian and will develop a comprehensive treatment plan that will best suit your pet’s specific health needs. We offer state of the art facilities, fully-equipped surgical suites and our exceptional staff all of whom are dedicated to ensuring that every patient receives the most extensive and advanced care available.

Common Conditions We Address

From cataracts to lens instability the ophthalmology team at VRCCO is able to address the many lens abnormalities that develop in our pets. From cataracts to lens instability the ophthalmology team at VRCCO is able to address the many lens abnormalities that can develop in our pets. We offer comprehensive options to address lenticular disease in a variety of species.  From medical management to provide long term comfort to surgery to remove cataracts, there are various options to treat lenticular diseases.

Glaucoma is the development of optic nerve damage due to abnormally high intraocular pressures and it occurs far too often in our furry friends. This condition comes on gradually at first and then normally presents as an emergency as the eye becomes very red, cloudy and painful. At VRCCO our ophthalmology team has the instrumentation and experience necessary to accurately diagnose and treat glaucoma.

Sudden vision loss is a frightening situation and can in many cases be treated. We have the diagnostic tools at our disposal to make a diagnosis and provide the best treatment possible for our pets with vision loss.

Redness, squinting, and ocular discharge are often the first signs of ocular inflammation. Whether on the surface of the eye or inside of the eye we have the expertise and tools necessary to diagnose and treat the different conditions that can cause vision threatening ocular inflammation.

Degenerative, autoimmune, metabolic, and infectious diseases of the retinas are not uncommon to see in veterinary ophthalmology. We have imaging and electrodiagnostic retinal testing capabilities to pinpoint the cause of the disease and guide our management plan.

Both congenital and acquired eyelid abnormalities can be addressed medically and surgically by the ophthalmology team at VRCCO. We commonly see immune mediated, infectious and conformational conditions that can be successfully treated giving your pet increased comfort and improved ocular health.

Many ocular neoplasias (cancers) can be treated surgically by the ophthalmology team at VRCCO. We have access to localized chemotherapy protocols as well as laser and cryotherapy in addition to more traditional surgical options to treat ocular neoplasia.

Procedures We Offer

In many cases, cataract surgery can be performed to restore vision for our four legged friends. From juvenile, to age related, to diabetic cataracts we now have the ability to restore vision right here in Bend.

Our ophthalmology team at VRCCO has an operating microscope and the instrumentation necessary to perform microsurgery. From corneal, to iris to lens surgery we can address all of your pet’s microsurgical needs.

Some tumors and traumas provide significant challenges in determining how to maintain normal function with the tissue that remains. The ophthalmology team at VRCCO is trained in reconstruction techniques and have the ability to provide long term function and comfort after trauma or a cancer diagnosis.

When the integrity of the cornea is compromised by infection or a tumor, the ophthalmology team at VRCCO is equipped to perform complex corneal grafting procedures necessary to restore corneal stability and maintain vision.

The cryosurgical until at VRCCO can be utilized to remove abnormal eyelashes or treat tumors without conventional surgery.

The carbon dioxide laser at VRCCO can be utilized to treat eyelid, conjunctiva or corneal conditions. The ease of use allows our team to do many of these procedures simply with a local anesthetic and mild sedation if necessary, eliminating the need for general anesthesia.

Diagnostics We Offer

Electrodiagnostic testing is a powerful tool that allows the ophthalmology team at VRCCO to test for inherited retinal diseases, diagnose sudden acquired retinal degeneration or to determine if the retina is healthy enough to support vision prior to pursuing cataract removal.

Ultrasound is a valuable tool for the ophthalmology team at VRCCO when we can not see clearly from the front through to the back of the eye or for a non-invasive way to look at the tissues around/behind the eye.

Slit lamp biomicroscopy is a part of every complete ophthalmic examination at VRCCO. Our ophthalmologist utilizes a hand held slit lamp microscope to examine structures from the crystal clear windshield (cornea) to just behind the lens of the eye. Our slit lamp is the portable equivalent to the instrument used in human ophthalmology where you sit your chin on the chin rest and the doctor looks at the structures of your eye.

Indirect ophthalmoscopy is a part of every complete ophthalmic examination at VRCCO. A lens and a headset are utilized to visualize the structures from the lens to the retina of the eye.

The carbon dioxide laser at VRCCO can be utilized to treat eyelid, conjunctiva or corneal conditions. The ease of use allows our team to do many of these procedures simply with a local anesthetic and mild sedation if necessary, eliminating the need for general anesthesia.

Other Services We Offer

Companion Animal Eye Registry/ Orthopedic Foundation of America examinations for the presence of absence of hereditary ocular disease.

Call us at 541-210-9200 if you have any questions.