Animal Eye Guys Hollywood

A veterinary ophthalmologist is a doctor who specializes in diseases that can affect your pet’s eye and vision. A veterinary ophthalmologist is also equipped to diagnose and treat diseases that affect the structures surrounding the eye, such as the eyelids, conjunctiva, and some of the bones of the skull that comprise the eye socket. A veterinary ophthalmologist will combine medical and surgical treatments in order to most effectively treat your pet’s eye problem.

While your general practitioner veterinarian can diagnose and treat many routine eye conditions, certain diseases and injuries require the care of a doctor who has had specialized, intensive training in veterinary ophthalmology in order to provide the very best outcome for your pet.

Pet eye diseases that you may be familiar with as a result of your own visits to a human ophthalmologist include cataracts, glaucoma, retinal detachments, and corneal ulcers.


Why Does My Pet Need A Veterinary Ophthalmologist?

While your general practitioner veterinarian can handle many aspects of your pet’s care, just as in human medicine, sometimes there is a need for the attention of a specialist. If your pet has a complicated or difficult problem, your pet may need the care of a veterinary ophthalmologist. You can be assured that a veterinarian who knows when to refer you and your pet for more specialized diagnostic work or
treatment is one that is caring and committed to ensuring your pet receives the highest standard of medical care for his or her problem.

While in some cases, your veterinarian may be able to simply consult with a specialist about your pet’s care, in other cases it is necessary to actually refer you and your pet to the specialist for more advanced diagnostics and treatment, including surgery.


What Special Problems Does A Veterinary Ophthalmologist Treat?

Routine eye matters can frequently be handled by your general practitioner veterinarian. The conditions listed below, however, frequently require the attention of a specialist.

• Cataracts
• Corneal ulcer
• Entropion
• Glaucoma
• Prolapsed gland of the nictitans (cherry eye)
• Uveitis


Will My Regular Veterinarian Still Be Involved?

Your veterinary ophthalmologist will work together with your veterinarian as part of your pet’s total veterinary health care team. Your general practitioner veterinarian will still oversee all aspects of your pet’s care, but with the added, specialized input of a veterinary ophthalmologist. For example, if a veterinary ophthalmologist ultimately diagnoses diabetes in your pet as a result of an eye examination for cataracts, that information will be relayed back to your general practitioner veterinarian, who will treat your pet’s diabetes. The additional input of the veterinary ophthalmologist will be called upon as needed as your veterinarian manages your pet’s illness.


Meet our Boarded Ophthalmologist.......

Dr. Robert Swinger completed his undergraduate work and received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Illinois in 2003. After completing an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Veterinary Specialists of South Florida in Cooper City, he went on to complete both an ophthalmology internship in 2005 and residency in 2009 at the Animal Eye Specialty Clinics in Miami, Deerfield Beach, and West Palm Beach. Soon thereafter, he joined the VCA Aurora Animal Hospital outside of Chicago and developed a successful ophthalmology service where he continues to actively consult. In 2011, Dr. Swinger launched Animal Eye Guys (AEG) and joined the Hollywood Animal Hospital veterinary team. AEG quickly grew and now offers two satellite locations in Miami Beach and South Miami. Dr. Swinger is board certified and a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.

In his work environment, Dr. Swinger enjoys teaching and taking active roles in the hospital’s internship program. His special interests include surgical and medical management of glaucoma, cataract surgery, and corneal physiology. Outside of the veterinary arena, Dr. Swinger enjoys spending time with his family; his pets (a poodle, Sophie; an African Grey parrot, Paco; and several saltwater fish); and enjoys fishing, cooking, and traveling.