Welcome to ERC, Animal Medical Centre's Eye Referral Clinic (ERC)
“Inside the Eye, nature’s most exquisite creation”
“To understand how animals see, look through their eyes. It’s the doorway to their health”
Our mission is to improve and preserve animal vision suffering from a range of ophthalmic diseases. Dr Amilan Sivagurunathan is a South African board certified veterinary ophthalmologist with over 17 years of experience in clinical veterinary ophthalmology and offers comprehensive, and compassionate ophthalmic care for his patients. He has lectured and trained undergraduate veterinarians during his residency at Onderstepoort Veterinary Faculty, University of Pretoria.
The team at ERC , will apply the latest knowledge and information in veterinary ophthalmic medicine and surgery. Over 730 companion animals (dogs, cats, rabbits) and a breeding orangutan in Matang Sarawak called Aman have had their visions returned following phacoemulsification cataract surgery. This surgical procedure is one of the many intraocular surgeries and procedures routinely performed at ERC. ERC offers ophthalmic services for horses and valuable lifestock.
Referral eye cases would require a patient medical history, blood reports, urine reports, radiographic images and referral vet letter which can be brought along physically or e-mail to us (dramilan@medivet.com.my).
All cases at ERC are scheduled by appointment only. Patients coming from far are recommended to fast their pet for 8 hours before the appointment.
If you require more information, please send us an enquiry or personally contact us.
Eye Evaluation Criteria at ERC:
What to Expect during an Exam- OFA certification
OFA Eye Certification examinations are screening exams performed by board certified veterinary ophthalmologists. The exams can take place either in the veterinary office, or at a special clinic held in conjunction with another event (such as a dog show).
Bring your dog’s information to the exam so the exam form may be completed properly. Required information includes: registration number, owner’s name and contact information, dog’s registered name, date of birth, sex, breed/variety, and if applicable, permanent identification (via microchip or tattoo).
The exam is performed 30 to 40 minutes after pupil-dilating drops are placed in the eyes. The Eye Certification exam consists of indirect ophthalmoscopy and slit lamp biomicroscopy.
This is not a comprehensive ocular health examination, but rather an eye screening exam. For example, Eye Certification exams do not entail measuring tear production, staining the eyes for the presence of corneal ulcers, or measuring intraocular pressures. Gonio copy, tonometry, Schemer tear test, electroretinography, and ultrasonography are not routinely performed; thus, dogs with Gonio dysgenesis, glaucoma, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, early lens luxation/subluxation or some early cases of progressive retinal atrophy might not be detected without further testing.
If a serious ocular health problem (such as glaucoma) is suspected during the Eye Certification exam, the examiner will recommend a more comprehensive ocular examination. The diagnoses obtained during an OFA Eye Certification Registry exam refer only to the observable phenotype (clinical appearance) of an animal. Thus it is possible for a clinically normal animal to be a carrier (abnormal genotype) of genetic abnormalities.
The following breeds are recommended to have a preliminary examination prior to initial pharmacological dilation to best facilitate identification of these disorders:
Poodle – Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
Shih Tzu – iris atrophy, iris hypoplasia, PPM, Optic nerve atrophy, PRA
Dalmatian – iris hypoplasia/sphincter dysplasia
Chow Chow / Sharpei – Entropion
Jack Russel Terrier – Lens luxation
Mastiff – persistent pupillary membrane
Basenji – persistent pupillary membrane (PPM)
Pembroke Welsh Corgi – persistent pupillary membrane
Portions of the material above have been reprinted with permission of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists from the publication “Ocular Conditions Presumed to be Inherited in Purebred Dogs”, 5th Edition, 2010, produced by the Genetics Committee of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, © American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.
Interesting Question :
Why do animal eyes have pupils of different shapes?
There is a striking correlation between terrestrial species’ pupil shape and ecological niche (that is, foraging mode and time of day they are active). Species with vertically elongated pupils are very likely to be ambush predators and are active day and night. Species with horizontally elongated pupils are very likely to be prey and to have laterally placed eyes.
Interesting Facts :
Eye shape reveals whether an animal is predator or prey, new study shows. The eyes say it all. They answer questions about a creature’s social scale, and its place in the pecking order. The geometry of the eye indicates whether an animal is the hunter, or the hunted
Services Includes:
- Complete ophthalmic examination, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment planning
- A full range of surgery, including eyelid surgery, corneal microsurgery, and lens/cataract surgery
- Medical and/or surgical treatment for entropion, cherry eye, tumors, corneal ulcers, dry eye, glaucoma, uveitis, cataracts, retinal disease, blindness, and more
- Comprehensive follow-up medical and post-surgical care
- Canine genetic screening (CERF) eye examinations
- Informative communication with owners – to keep you involved with your pet’s eye care
- Rapid communication with referring veterinarians, for specialist care that coordinates with that of your general veterinary practitioner
- Friendly and professional service.
