What Happens at an Eye Exam: A Breeder's Guide
The first time I took a dog for an eye exam, I had no idea what to expect. I showed up without registration papers, forgot to mention that the dog was skittish about having her face touched, and panicked when they put drops in her eyes. The exam went fine in the end, but I made everything harder than it needed to be.
Now, after dozens of exams across nearly three decades, the process is routine. But I remember that initial confusion, and I see it regularly in new breeders at clinic events. This guide covers exactly what happens during a canine eye certification exam so you can be prepared and help your dogs through the process smoothly.
Before the Appointment
What to Bring
The documentation requirements are simple but essential. Forget these and you may not be able to complete the certification:
- Registration papers: AKC, UKC, CKC, or whatever registry your dog is registered with. The ophthalmologist needs the registered name and registration number.
- Microchip or tattoo information: If your dog is microchipped, bring the chip number. This gets recorded on the form for verification.
- Previous eye exam records: If the dog has been examined before, bring copies of those reports. This helps the ophthalmologist track changes.
- OFA application form: Some practices provide these, but having your own ensures you have the current version. Download from ofa.org.
- Payment: Obviously. Most practices accept cards, but clinic events may prefer cash or checks.
I keep a folder for each dog with all their health testing documentation. Registration papers, microchip certificate, previous eye exams, DNA test results, everything. When it is time for an appointment, I grab the folder and know I have what I need.
Preparing Your Dog
Dogs do not need to fast or have any special preparation for eye exams. However, a few things help the process go smoothly:
- Clean eyes: Wipe away any discharge or debris before the appointment. The ophthalmologist will see better and the exam goes faster.
- Minimal grooming around eyes: Do not trim the hair around the eyes right before an exam. Fresh cuts can cause irritation that complicates the evaluation.
- Exercise beforehand: A tired dog is typically calmer during the exam. A good walk before leaving home helps.
- Practice handling: If your dog is not used to having its face touched and eyes examined, practice at home. Gently hold the muzzle, look at the eyes, touch around the eye area. Build positive associations.
Some dogs are genuinely anxious about eye exams. If yours panics during eye drops or being held still, tell the ophthalmologist before the exam starts. They deal with nervous patients regularly and have techniques to minimize stress. Do not wait until your dog is struggling to mention it.
Arrival and Check-In
At a private appointment, you check in at the front desk like any veterinary visit. They verify your dog's identity, confirm the purpose of the visit, and collect your paperwork.
At clinic events, check-in varies. Sometimes there is a sign-in sheet where you add your name to a list. Sometimes you are given a number and wait for it to be called. Large events may have separate lines for different breeds or different examiners.
After check-in, the next step is dilation. Eye drops are applied to dilate the pupils, which allows the ophthalmologist to see inside the eye more clearly. You will wait while the drops take effect, usually 20-30 minutes.
The Dilation Process
The technician or assistant applies one or two types of drops to each eye. The most common is tropicamide, which dilates the pupil. Some practices also use a topical anesthetic to reduce discomfort during the exam.
The drops do not hurt but they feel weird to the dog. Most dogs blink rapidly and try to rub their eyes immediately after application. This is normal. Keep them from rubbing if possible because it can slow the dilation.
After drops, you wait. At clinic events, this is often in a general waiting area with other breeders and dogs. At private appointments, you may wait in an exam room or a quieter area. The dilation period is a good time to fill out paperwork if you have not already.
The Examination
Once pupils are dilated, the actual examination begins. The entire process typically takes 10-15 minutes at private appointments, sometimes less at busy clinic events.
Positioning
Most exams happen with the dog on a raised table and the owner or a technician holding the dog still. Small dogs may be held in your arms. Large dogs may sit or stand depending on the examiner's preference.
Your job during the exam is to keep the dog's head steady while the ophthalmologist works. This means supporting under the chin and sometimes steadying the shoulders. The calmer you are, the calmer your dog will be. Finding the right qualified ophthalmologist who is experienced with your breed makes a significant difference.
The Examination Sequence
The ophthalmologist examines both eyes using several instruments and techniques:
- External examination: They look at the eyelids, third eyelid, and structures around the eye for obvious abnormalities. They check for distichiasis (extra eyelashes), entropion (inward-rolling lids), and ectropion (outward-rolling lids).
- Slit lamp examination: A bright light with magnification examines the front of the eye. This reveals corneal problems, anterior chamber issues, and lens abnormalities like cataracts.
- Indirect ophthalmoscopy: Using a handheld lens and a bright headlight, the ophthalmologist examines the back of the eye including the retina and optic nerve. This is where they spot conditions like PRA and retinal dysplasia.
- Gonioscopy: Sometimes performed, this specialized exam evaluates the drainage angle of the eye which is relevant for glaucoma risk. Not all breeds need this.
Throughout the exam, the ophthalmologist may move the dog's head to different angles or ask you to hold it in specific positions. They work in a darkened room because the dilated pupils are sensitive to light.
The examination uses very bright lights, and watching your dog's eyes get illuminated can be unsettling. Remember that the dog is not in pain. The dilating drops prevent their pupils from constricting, so the light gets through easily. Discomfort is minimal and temporary.
What They Are Looking For
The standard exam checks for over a dozen conditions. The specific conditions that matter depend on your breed. For Collies, the ophthalmologist pays particular attention to Collie Eye Anomaly. For Labs, they focus on progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts. For Cocker Spaniels, cataracts and glaucoma are priorities. After the exam, you'll need to understand how to read the certification codes on your results.
Some common findings include:
- Persistent Pupillary Membranes (PPM): Remnants of fetal tissue. Minor PPM is common and usually insignificant.
- Cataracts: Cloudiness in the lens. Location, type, and progression matter for breeding decisions.
- Distichiasis: Extra eyelashes that may or may not cause irritation.
- Retinal folds: Minor malformations that may indicate retinal dysplasia.
- Collie Eye Anomaly markers: Choroidal hypoplasia and related changes specific to Collie-type breeds.
Getting Results
Immediate Feedback
The ophthalmologist gives you verbal results immediately after the exam. They will tell you whether the dog passes for certification and note any findings. This is your chance to ask questions about anything they found.
If something concerning shows up, they explain what it means and what the implications are for breeding. Do not hesitate to ask for clarification. Phrases like "mild PPM" or "questionable cataracts" can sound scary without context.
Written Results
The written results come on the OFA Eye Certification Examination form. The ophthalmologist checks boxes for each condition examined and notes any abnormalities found. They also indicate whether the dog passes ("Normal" for breeding purposes) or fails.
Some findings result in neither a clear pass nor fail. These get marked as "Breeder Option" conditions that exist but may not be significant depending on breed and severity. I cover reading these codes in detail in the certification codes guide.
Form Submission
After the exam, the completed form needs to go to OFA for official registration. Some practices submit directly. Others give you the form to mail yourself. Either way, you need to include the $15 registration fee.
Results typically appear in the OFA database within 2-3 weeks of submission. You receive a certificate by mail, and the results become searchable online.
After the Exam
Immediate Aftercare
The dilating drops wear off within 4-8 hours. During this time, your dog's pupils remain enlarged and they may be sensitive to bright light. Keep them out of direct sunlight and in dimmer environments until the dilation resolves.
Some dogs act a bit disoriented with dilated pupils, especially if they have never experienced it before. Their vision is affected because the dilated pupil lets in too much light. This is temporary and normal.
What to Do With Results
If the dog passes with no findings, congratulations. Keep the certificate with your breeding records and note the date for scheduling the next annual exam.
If findings were noted but the dog still passed, read the form carefully and understand what was found. Consider whether those findings affect your breeding plans. A dog with minor distichiasis might pass certification but still warrant monitoring.
If the dog did not pass, you have decisions to make about whether to retest, seek a second opinion, or remove the dog from breeding consideration. The retest timing guide addresses these situations.
Typical Exam Cost Breakdown
Clinic event exam: $45-75
Private appointment exam: $75-125
OFA registration fee: $15
Total (clinic route): $60-90
Total (private route): $90-140
Common Questions and Concerns
Will My Dog Be Sedated?
No. Routine eye exams do not require sedation. The exam is not painful and most dogs tolerate it well. Extremely anxious dogs may need mild sedation, but this is rare and should be discussed with the ophthalmologist beforehand.
How Long Does the Whole Process Take?
At private appointments: 45 minutes to 1 hour total including check-in, dilation, exam, and results discussion.
At clinic events: Highly variable. Could be 30 minutes if you are early in line, could be 2+ hours at busy events. Plan for the longer scenario.
Can I Stay With My Dog?
Yes, and you should. Most ophthalmologists expect the owner to be present and to help hold the dog. Some may ask you to step back during certain parts of the exam to avoid blocking light, but you will be in the room.
What If My Dog Fails?
A failing result is not the end of the world, though it feels that way initially. Understand exactly why the dog failed, whether the condition is definitely hereditary, and what it means for your breeding program. Some failures are clear-cut. Others deserve second opinions or monitoring over time.
Tips From Experience
After all these years, here is what I have learned makes eye exams go smoothly:
- Arrive prepared. Papers ready, dog exercised, payment sorted. Do not add unnecessary stress.
- Stay calm. Your dog reads your energy. If you are anxious, they will be too.
- Ask questions. Ophthalmologists expect questions. Do not leave confused.
- Take notes. Write down what the ophthalmologist says, especially about any findings.
- Keep records. File the paperwork properly. You will need it for breeding documentation and future reference.
- Schedule ahead. Eye clinics fill up and good ophthalmologists book out. Do not wait until the last minute.