Bright Light Veterinary Eye Care

08/08/2025

Did you make the correct diagnosis?

Image A is an anterior lens luxation, while image B is nuclear sclerosis.

In the labelled version of Image A, black arrows outline the lens equator while a white arrow points to the only visible pupillary margin. Note how the lens equator is visible 360 degrees, indicating the lens has completely luxated into the anterior chamber, and virtually none of the pupillary margin is visible. Additionally, there is moderate edema of the axial cornea because the lens is compressing the posterior cornea and causing endothelial dysfunction and endothelial cell loss. Note that the area of corneal edema is roughly the same size as the lens.

In the labelled version of Image B, the single black arrow points to the pupillary margin, while the single white arrow points to the lens nucleus. Nuclear sclerosis is a normal aging change that results in the center of the lens (the nucleus) becoming more dense than the periphery (the cortex). The features that distinguish nuclear sclerosis are: dog > 7 years old, bilaterally symmetric, and a pearlescent and perfectly circular appearance. You can see a normal tapetal reflection through nuclear sclerosis, and vision is not affected. By contrast, most dogs with acute anterior lens luxation do not have a normal menace response. Many older dogs have iris atrophy, which is age-related weakening of the iris muscles that leads to consistent and persistent mydriasis. The dog in image B has severe iris atrophy, which is why the pupil is so dilated and why the lens nucleus with nuclear sclerosis can be seen so clearly. One feature that helps distinguish this nuclear sclerosis from an anterior lens luxation is the pupillary margin is visible 360 degrees. There is no visible lens equator, which also distinguishes nuclear sclerosis from a posterior lens subluxation.

08/06/2025

Welcome to Wednesday!

Below are photos of two canine eyes. One has nuclear sclerosis, one has an anterior lens luxation. Which one is which?

08/05/2025

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever can manifest as ocular disease (uveitis, conjunctival petechiae, iris hemorrhage, retinal hemorrhage) in addition to the systemic signs exhibited by infected dogs. This is an important update from Dr. Weese about a cluster of five cases of RMSF in Ontario.

I recently wrote about a couple cases of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) in dogs in Ontario. It's not a disease we expect to find here, but we're

08/01/2025

08/01/2025

Posted • It’s Emancipation Day.

August 1st marks Emancipation Day in Canada. It is a day to honour the history, perseverance, and ongoing fight for justice by people of African descent. It’s only been four years since Canada officially recognized this day at the federal level in 2021, finally acknowledging what Black communities have known and been saying all along: we have a deep history here, too.

Emancipation Day is to Black Canadians what Juneteenth is to Black Americans: a symbol of both freedom... and the long road still ahead. While public awareness and support for anti-racism have grown (and shrunk, and grown, and shrunk), let’s not pretend the work is done.

The physical chains may have been broken, but the systems built to uphold white supremacy are still thriving as intended.

As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in 2021:
“Despite the abolition of enslavement nearly two centuries ago, the legacy of anti-Black racism is still prevalent today, entrenched in our institutions, policies, and practices.”

This, is truth. We must acknowledge and speak the truth, but truth without action is just noise. It’s time to move past well-crafted statements and performative actions into real reparations and healing.

Today, we hold space for our stolen ancestors and we build for our children. We reflect on the history that shaped us and the future we’re building. We honour the past by fighting for a more just, liberated tomorrow.

Most adults never learned that enslavement happened here for more than two hundred years. This Emancipation Day, continue to raise anti-racist kids by sharing these truths with your children to ensure they grow up knowing our whole history.

07/28/2025

Did you make the correct diagnosis?

This is a fairly subtle abnormality but once you see it, you can't unsee it! This is Multiple Congenital Ocular Anomalies (MCOA) associated with the silver dilution coat color gene. First described in Rocky Mountain Horses, the gene can also be found in Appaloosa, Arabian, Ardenne, Finnhorse, Gypsy Cob, Gypsy Vanner, Icelandic Horse/Pony, Kentucky Mountain Horse, Miniature Horse, Missouri Foxtrotter, Morgan Horse, Mountain Pleasure Horse, Norwegian Nordland, Paint Horse, Quarter Horse, Rocky Mountain Horse, Saddlebred, Shetland Pony, Swedish Warmblood, Welsh Pony, and related breeds.

The ocular abnormalities occur on a spectrum, depending on whether the horse carries one or two copies of the gene. Abnormalities include enlarged corneas with increased corneal curvature, iris hypoplasia, small pupil size, resistance to pharmacological dilation, small corpora nigra, ectropion uveae at the pupillary margin, iridocorneal angle malformation, cataract, ciliary body cysts, and retinal detachment.

In this case, we can see an abnormal texture to the iris and pupillary margin consistent with iris hypoplasia and ectropion uveae. Cataract is also present. Fortunately, vision does not seem to be impacted for this particular pony. The appearance of the pupil is the most obvious abnormality in this case, so when you see a pupil with this appearance, you should consider MCOA. Abnormalities will be bilateral but may not be identical in both eyes. Interestingly, chestnut horses with the silver gene still have a chestnut coat, so coat color alone isn't going to confirm the diagnosis, but the mane and tail will be flaxen or grey (as was the case for this pony).

You can learn more about the genetics of this condition here: https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/silver

07/24/2025

It’s an honor and a privilege to work with to care for Cedar, an orphan baby moose. With support from RVTs Annika and Meg, and assistant Haden, Dr. Labelle was able to safely examine Cedar with a minimal amount of stress to him. Moose are prey animals, so all veterinary care must be conducted in a way that causes the least possible amount of stress for the animal. Cedar presented his nose for a smooch at the conclusion of his eye exam, so we know he wasn’t too stressed! Under the experienced and expert guidance of Director Lynne Rowe, Cedar continues to receive superb care at HHWR.

Dr. Labelle’s expertise in ophthalmology allowed our fellow wildlife veterinarians to use their expertise to deem Cedar unreleasable. Collaboration is critical for providing the best care for our patients! We strongly support the transfer of Cedar to and urge the Province to approve the transfer.

07/23/2025

Welcome to Wednesday!

This is the left eye of a 16y Welsh pony mare. She has a chestnut coat with a flaxen mane and tail. The pupil size did not increase in a dimly lit stall.

What's your diagnosis?

07/21/2025

Every summer trip is an opportunity to do a little bit of ophthalmology!

is a must-visit if you are in the region. The animal care staff takes superb care of every creature in the building. Learn about the ecology and conservation efforts of our region while tackling the ropes course or admiring the wildlife species on display.

We are honored to be part of the veterinary services team that provides ophthalmic care to the critters of the Aquatarium.

06/26/2025

Dr. Amber Labelle will be away from Friday, June 27th through Friday, July 4th.

If you have an urgent concern or question, please call City View Animal Hospital at 613-727-6696. Please note that City View Animal Hospital will be closed on Canada Day, Tuesday July 1st.

- If you are a current client who needs medication refills, please complete the prescription refill request on our website and allow at least 72 hours for the request to be fulfilled.

- If you are a small animal primary care veterinarian, you can submit referrals using the referral form on our website, and they will be scheduled by City View Animal Hospital.

- If you are an equine veterinarian, you can submit referrals during this time and they will be scheduled after July 7th..

- OFA requests can be submitted on our website or by calling City View Animal Hospital at 613-727-6696.

- If you are an existing client with an emergency, please contact your primary care veterinarian or your nearest emergency clinic. Emergency specialty eye care is available at Capital City Specialty and Emergency Animal Hospital (613-244-7387).

Team Bright Light

06/12/2025

Did you make the correct diagnosis?

Two clues give away the diagnosis here: the posterior lens subluxation (see that aphakic crescent at the temporal pupil?!) and the descemet's striae (Haab's striae) traversing the cornea.

This is classic equine glaucoma. The pupil is also mydriatic. Fundic examination revealed a pale, cupped optic nerve head and vision loss. The IOP was 42mmHg at time of examination, and enucleation allowed this horse to regain comfort and quality of life.

04/22/2025

Happy Earth Day! Our commitment to sustainability isn’t just for one day a year; it is a daily practice here at Bright Light Veterinary Eye Care.

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