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Who we
are...
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"...that light shall prevail over darkness..."
- motto of the American College of Veterinary
Ophthalmologists
Who we are...
Welcome to the Animal Eye Care Clinics website. We are a referral veterinary ophthalmology practice, and have provided specialized veterinary ophthalmic care for companion animals in Southern California since 1992.
The Animal Eye Care Clinics serve the veterinarians, clients and patients in Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Kern counties in California. Each year, over 500 veterinarians in Southern California refer clients and their pets to our clinic.
Animal Eye Care Clinics have two practice locations. Our main hospital is located in Camarillo, CA. We also have a satellite clinic (Thursdays only) in Woodland Hills, CA (the San Fernando Valley).
We are pleased to offer the services of Dr. Jeannette M.A. da Silva Curiel, and Dr. Brian A. Marchione board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists.
What we do...
The following are some of the instruments that are used at the Animal Eye Care Clinics to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases in our patients:
A routine ophthalmic examination is performed using specialized equipment, such as the slit-lamp biomicroscope and indirect ophthalmoscope, to examine the front and back of the eye. Intraocular pressure measurements are performed with TonoPen® applanation tonometer. Gonioscopic lenses are used to examine the eye's drainage apparatus to help diagnose glaucoma. Electroretinography (ERG) is used to determine the health of the retina prior to performing cataract surgery, and to determine the cause of some types of vision loss. Our state-of-the art ocular ultrasonography machine is used to check for intraocular problems such as retinal detachment or intraocular tumors, and can also be used to examine the tissues behind the eye (in the eye socket). Ocular prosthetics are available for some patients that require eye removal.
Laser therapy, using a Nd:YAG medical laser, is used in the treatment of several ophthalmic disorders, especially glaucoma surgery. Cryotherapy (freezing) is used in the treatment of eyelash disorders and treatment of some eyelid tumors. In older dogs, many eyelid tumors can be removed with cryosurgery using just local anesthetic, thereby avoiding the need for general anesthesia.When needed, a patient may be referred to another specialized veterinary facility for a CT or MRI scan, or consultation with another veterinary specialist (such as an internal medicine specialist, cardiologist, neurologist, etc.)
Microsurgical procedures are performed in a sterile environment in the operating room, using extremely small instruments and an operating microscope to magnify the ocular tissues. Microsurgical procedures include cataract surgery, corneal laceration repair, glaucoma surgery, plastic surgery, etc. Patients are anesthetized with isoflurane gas anesthetic, and continuously monitored with state-of-the art equipment, including Doppler blood pressure monitoring, end-tidal carbon dioxide monitor, electrocardiography, and pulse oximetry.Cataract surgery is the most common
microsurgical procedure performed at our hospital. Electroretinography
and ocular ultrasonography are performed prior to surgery to ensure that retinal
health is adequate for vision. The cataractous lenses are then removed using
phacoemulsification,
and artificial lens implants (intraocular lenses or IOL's) are implanted to restore normal
focusing ability to the eye. (For more information on cataract
surgery, click here).
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What is a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist?
A veterinarian cannot legally refer to himself or herself as a specialist in any field of veterinary medicine unless they are board-certified in a specialty recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
A veterinary ophthalmologist is a veterinarian who specializes in the treatment of eye diseases in animals, and who is board-certified by the AVMA-recognized American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO). There are only about 400 ACVO board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists in the world.
Many years of training are required to become board-certified in veterinary
ophthalmology. In addition to the typical 8 years of college required to become a
veterinarian, a veterinary ophthalmologist will then complete at least 4 years of
additional training, including a one-year internship in
general medicine and surgery, plus a three-year residency in an ACV0-approved
ophthalmology residency. After completion of their residency, the
veterinarian must then pass a rigorous, four-day, written and practical certifying
examination in order to become board-certified and receive Diplomate status in
the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists. For more information
on the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, please visit www.ACVO.org.
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When should my pet be examined by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist?
Your veterinarian may elect to refer your pet to a veterinary ophthalmologist when your pet's eye condition requires specialized ophthalmic expertise or instrumentation that your veterinarian does not have available to them. Referral of your pet to the veterinary ophthalmologist demonstrates your veterinarian's concern for your pet's welfare, and their desire to provide the best care for your pet.
Some of the more common reasons for a veterinarian to refer a patient to us
include: evaluation of cataracts, cataract surgery to restore vision in patients
blinded by cataracts, vision loss, glaucoma,
trauma to the eye or eyelids, ocular inflammation, any eye condition
requiring specialized ophthalmic surgery, or any eye problem that is
unresponsive to treatment.
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Our ophthalmologist - Dr. Jeannette M.A. da Silva Curiel, B.Sc, DVM, Diplomate ACVO
Dr. da Silva Curiel graduated from the University of Calgary in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science degree (in Animal Biology). In 1986, she graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (with distinction) from the University of Saskatchewan. After completing a one year post-graduate internship in general veterinary medicine and surgery at the University of Missouri, a three year residency program in comparative veterinary ophthalmology was then completed at the University of California, Davis, and the University of Missouri. In 1990, Dr. da Silva Curiel became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists. Dr. da Silva Curiel has been in continuous private practice since 1990. Dr. da Silva Curiel served as a member of the Board-Certification Examination Committee for the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists from 2001-2004.
Dr. Jeannette da Silva Curiel is a proud member of the following organizations:
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO)
The Canadian Association of Veterinary Ophthalmology (CAVO)
The California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA)
The Southern California Veterinary Medical Association (SCVMA)
The Santa Barbara and Ventura Veterinary Medical Association (SBVVMA)
The Veterinary Information Network (VIN)
The Phi Zeta Society, Pi Chapter (Veterinary Honor Society)
Our ophthalmologist - Dr. Brian A. Marchione, B.S., DVM, Diplomate ACVO
Back to TopDr. Marchione graduated from the University of California, San Diego in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science degree (in Biochemistry). In 2007, he graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University. He completed a one year post-graduate internship at the Advanced Veterinary Care Center in Los Angeles, prior to beginning his Residency in Ophthalmology at the Animal Eye Care Clinic. Dr. Marchione became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists in 2011. Dr. Marchione is an avid surfer.
