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Veterinary Ophthalmology in Rocklin, CA

Animal Eye Center provides state-of-the-art ophthalmic diagnostics and surgery for pets in Rocklin and throughout the surrounding region, including the greater Sacramento area and Northern California.

Our surgical facility is one of the few in Northern California equipped to perform advanced procedures such as phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation for cataracts, and specialized glaucoma surgeries including Ahmed Gonioimplant and Endolaser Cyclophotocoagulation (ECP).

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veterinarian taking care of two puppies

Explore Our Eye Care Services in Rocklin, CA

Pet Eye Care

Common Eye Problems
As part of our general veterinary eye care, our ophthalmology team evaluates and treats a wide range of eye conditions, including:

  • Cataracts
  • Glaucoma
  • Eye trauma and injuries
  • Uveitis (eye inflammation)
  • Vision loss
  • Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS / dry eye)
  • Ocular tumors
  • Corneal ulcers and perforations
  • Retinal disease
  • Lens luxations
  • Eyelid disorders (including entropion, distichia)
  • Episcleritis / scleritis
  • Congenital abnormalities
  • Feline herpes keratitis
  • Corneal dystrophy / degeneration
  • And other ophthalmic concerns

If you’re not sure whether your pet’s symptoms indicate an eye problem, we encourage you to call. Our team can help you understand whether specialty evaluation is recommended.

Pet Cataracts

What is a cataract?
A cataract refers to an opacity of the lens. The lens is suspended behind the pupil opening in the eye and focuses light onto the retina. Lens opacity may be small and not affect vision, or it can involve the entire lens resulting in complete blindness. Cataracts can begin as a small opacity and progress over time. Some pets are born with cataracts (congenital), while others develop them due to inherited factors, age-related changes, diabetes, chronic inflammation in the eye, or severe trauma.

If your pet’s eye looks cloudy or you’ve noticed changes in vision—hesitating on stairs, bumping into objects, or difficulty in dim light—an ophthalmology exam can help determine the cause and whether treatment options are available.

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pet wearing glasses

Pet Glaucoma

What is a glaucoma?
Glaucoma is increased fluid pressure inside the eye. Normal intraocular pressures (IOP) are generally below 25 mmHg. When IOP increases significantly, severe damage to the retina and optic nerve can occur, and vision can be lost rapidly. The eye continually produces and drains fluid (aqueous humor). Glaucoma can occur because of an inherited defect of the drainage angle (primary), or secondary to other abnormalities within the eye (secondary).

Because glaucoma can be painful and time-sensitive, it’s important to seek prompt evaluation if your pet has sudden squinting, redness, a cloudy eye, or signs of discomfort.

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Exotic Animals

Exotics Treated:

Animal Eye Center provides ophthalmology services for a range of exotic species as well as dogs and cats. If you have questions about whether your pet is a good candidate for evaluation, please contact our team.

Exotics Treated at Animal Eye Center:

  • Birds
  • Reptiles
  • Amphibians
  • Rabbits
  • Pocket pets
  • Livestock
  • Wildlife
  • Fish

When to See a Veterinary Ophthalmologist

Some eye issues develop slowly, while others can worsen quickly and require prompt evaluation. Consider scheduling an appointment (or calling right away) if you notice any of the following:

  • Squinting, blinking excessively, or holding the eye closed
  • Pawing at the face, rubbing the eye, or signs of pain
  • Redness, swelling, or sudden irritation
  • Thick discharge, chronic tearing, or tear staining
  • A cloudy, blue, or white appearance in the eye
  • Changes in pupil size, light sensitivity, or “sunken”/enlarged appearance
  • Sudden behavior changes that suggest reduced vision
  • Any suspected eye injury, scratch, or foreign material

Referrals are welcome, and many families seek specialty care directly—especially when symptoms are persistent, recurring, or severe.

Conditions That Commonly Benefit from Ophthalmology Referral

Pets may benefit from referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist when eye symptoms are persistent, recurring, severe, or when advanced diagnostics or surgery may be needed. Common referral reasons include:

Cataracts
Evaluation is recommended for cloudy eyes, suspected vision loss, and to determine whether cataracts are present, whether they are progressive, and whether surgical treatment may be appropriate.
Glaucoma
Referral is strongly recommended when glaucoma is suspected or diagnosed, because elevated eye pressure can cause pain and can threaten vision quickly. A specialist can confirm the diagnosis, guide urgent treatment, and discuss medical and surgical management options.
Eye Trauma
Scratches, punctures, foreign material, chemical exposure, and blunt trauma can damage the cornea or internal structures of the eye. Prompt specialty evaluation helps protect comfort and preserve vision when possible.
Uveitis (eye inflammation)
Uveitis can be painful and may be linked to systemic disease. Ophthalmic evaluation helps identify the cause, assess severity, and create a tailored treatment plan to reduce inflammation and protect the eye.
Vision loss
If you suspect sudden or progressive vision loss, an ophthalmology exam can help determine whether the cause is cataracts, retinal disease, glaucoma, neurologic causes, or other ophthalmic conditions.
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye)
Chronic discharge, thick mucus, redness, and irritation may indicate dry eye. A specialist can confirm diagnosis and recommend long-term management to reduce discomfort and prevent corneal damage.
Ocular tumors
Masses in or around the eye require prompt assessment to determine origin, severity, and treatment options. Specialty evaluation supports earlier intervention and better comfort outcomes.
Corneal ulcers
Corneal ulcers can worsen quickly and may become infected or deepen. Ophthalmology evaluation helps determine ulcer type and severity, guide medication choices, and recommend surgical intervention when needed.

Retinal disease
Retinal disorders can cause reduced vision, night blindness, or sudden vision loss. Specialty diagnostics help determine the underlying cause and prognosis.
Lens luxations
Lens displacement can be painful and may lead to glaucoma. A specialist can confirm the diagnosis and guide urgent treatment, including surgical options when appropriate.
Eyelid disorders (entropion, distichia)
Eyelid abnormalities can cause chronic irritation and corneal injury. Ophthalmology evaluation helps identify whether medical management or corrective surgery is needed.
CAER & Wildlife Exams
If you need CAER (eye certification) exams or ophthalmic evaluation for wildlife cases, please contact our team to discuss availability and scheduling.