Intraocular silicon prosthesis (ISP)
When an eye is painful and/or blind, eye removal or intraocular silicon prosthesis (ISP) placement are the only surgical options. Eye removal is a routine surgery that can be performed by your local veterinarian. The exception to this is an enlarged cat's eye. Due to the higher risk of complications in cats, such as blindness in the opposite eye after surgery, it is recommended that enlarged eyes are removed by a specialist. At Melbourne EyeVet, we offer a less invasive alternative to make our patients comfortable. This is called the intraocular silicon prosthetic (ISP).
Eye Removal
A general anaesthetic is given and the hair around the eye clipped. The entire eyeball is removed including the eyelids, all the muscles and soft tissue around the eye, and the optic nerve behind the eye. The skin is stitched closed and over time, the skin will skin into the eye socket. It is possible for blood to appear at the nostril in the first few days following eye removal, as blood can travel down the tear duct. This should simply be wiped away and will usually stop in 24 hours.
Intraocular Silicon Prosthetic (ISP)
A general anaesthetic is given, but no clipping is required. All the structures around the eye including the eyelids, conjunctiva and muscles of the eye are left in place. A horizontal cut is made on the white part of the eye (sclera) and the contents inside the eye are carefully removed. A silicon prosthesis that is measured to match the size of the fellow eye is then placed inside the eye. The eye is then closed with dissolving stitches and the eyelids closed down temporarily to protect the eye as it heals.
Home care after surgery
Pain relief (e.g. tramadol or codeine) and anti-inflammatory medications are given to all patients after this procedure.
Whilst oral antibiotics are not generally used, eye cream (topical) antibiotics are used to protect the cornea as the surgery site heals. The eye can be kept clean by gently bathing twice daily using a face washer soaked in clean, lukewarm water.
Revisits after surgery
Most patients will require 2 visits after surgery to ensure the eye is healing well. The first visit is usually 10-14 days after surgery and the second visit is usually 2 weeks after the first visit. These 2 post-operative visits are included in the surgery fee. Post-op checks seen at one of our travelling clinics will incur a travelling clinic fee of $30.
Appearance of the new eye
The new eye undergoes several colour changes as it heals over the first 1-2 months following surgery. The final colour varies from dark brown to blue grey. This is related to the amount of injury the eye has sustained from the high pressure. Even with these colour changes the new eye will move around and blink normally. Most importantly, it will be very comfortable.
Patients who should NOT have an ISP
Not all patients are suitable for an ISP. Patients with dry eye, severe corneal damage, infection inside the eye or cancer may have more complications after surgery. For these patients, eye removal is a better option.
Should you have any questions or concerns please contact us on 03 9545 0103.
When an eye is painful and/or blind, eye removal or intraocular silicon prosthesis (ISP) placement are the only surgical options. Eye removal is a routine surgery that can be performed by your local veterinarian. The exception to this is an enlarged cat's eye. Due to the higher risk of complications in cats, such as blindness in the opposite eye after surgery, it is recommended that enlarged eyes are removed by a specialist. At Melbourne EyeVet, we offer a less invasive alternative to make our patients comfortable. This is called the intraocular silicon prosthetic (ISP).
Eye Removal
A general anaesthetic is given and the hair around the eye clipped. The entire eyeball is removed including the eyelids, all the muscles and soft tissue around the eye, and the optic nerve behind the eye. The skin is stitched closed and over time, the skin will skin into the eye socket. It is possible for blood to appear at the nostril in the first few days following eye removal, as blood can travel down the tear duct. This should simply be wiped away and will usually stop in 24 hours.
Intraocular Silicon Prosthetic (ISP)
A general anaesthetic is given, but no clipping is required. All the structures around the eye including the eyelids, conjunctiva and muscles of the eye are left in place. A horizontal cut is made on the white part of the eye (sclera) and the contents inside the eye are carefully removed. A silicon prosthesis that is measured to match the size of the fellow eye is then placed inside the eye. The eye is then closed with dissolving stitches and the eyelids closed down temporarily to protect the eye as it heals.
Home care after surgery
Pain relief (e.g. tramadol or codeine) and anti-inflammatory medications are given to all patients after this procedure.
Whilst oral antibiotics are not generally used, eye cream (topical) antibiotics are used to protect the cornea as the surgery site heals. The eye can be kept clean by gently bathing twice daily using a face washer soaked in clean, lukewarm water.
Revisits after surgery
Most patients will require 2 visits after surgery to ensure the eye is healing well. The first visit is usually 10-14 days after surgery and the second visit is usually 2 weeks after the first visit. These 2 post-operative visits are included in the surgery fee. Post-op checks seen at one of our travelling clinics will incur a travelling clinic fee of $30.
Appearance of the new eye
The new eye undergoes several colour changes as it heals over the first 1-2 months following surgery. The final colour varies from dark brown to blue grey. This is related to the amount of injury the eye has sustained from the high pressure. Even with these colour changes the new eye will move around and blink normally. Most importantly, it will be very comfortable.
Patients who should NOT have an ISP
Not all patients are suitable for an ISP. Patients with dry eye, severe corneal damage, infection inside the eye or cancer may have more complications after surgery. For these patients, eye removal is a better option.
Should you have any questions or concerns please contact us on 03 9545 0103.