Frequently Asked Questions

We're glad you asked! Your first step is to schedule an exam with Dr. Beaumont. Unfortunately, not every dog is a candidate for surgery. The first visit allows us to do a full exam to look for any obvious problems such as glaucoma, inflammation, dry eye, etc.

If it is determined that your pet appears to be a good candidate, we then schedule them for a work up. The work up involves 2 different tests done with light IV sedation. The first test is an ERG (electroretinogram). This test helps us determine how well the retinas are functioning. If we get low or flat line results, we know that even if we did cataract surgery, your pet would have poor or no vision. In this case, surgery would not be recommended.

The second test is an ocular ultrasound. This test helps us evaluate the structures in the back of the eye. We use this test to determine if there are any retinal detachments or other anatomical abnormalities. If the retina is detached it causes blindness and we would not recommend surgery.

If all of these things look good, we schedule surgery within 1-2 weeks of the work up. You want to move fast because cataracts can cause complications that can change the eye quickly. Sometimes pets are a candidate one week and then come for a recheck weeks or months later and they are no longer able to have surgery.

Please remember that cataract surgery is a big commitment. You must be willing to medicate your pet long term and bring them for rechecks. Failure to do so can lead to complications and potentially loss of vision.

See our Cataracts page for more detailed information!

We accept Care Credit but we do not provide any in house payment plans.

Our hours of operation are Monday - Thursday, 8 AM - 5 PM and Fridays from 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM. We are not open on the weekend however, we are able to see emergencies if needed.

Current patients may call us directly after hours. New patients must be referred by their veterinarian. After hours visits include emergency fees and are only for true emergencies.

We are located at 1545 W. Plano Parkway, west of 75. Our free-standing building is between Custer and Alma directly across from a new apartment complex. We are in a gray and white building set back from the road. See Contact Us for a map and our contact information.

Unfortunately we do not have texting capabilities at this time. We will call you with reminders as well as send postcards. If you need our address or a map, please refer to our Contact Us page. Feel free to book mark the page or email a copy of the link to yourself for quick reference!

At Animal Eye Specialists, your pet will ALWAYS be examined by a board certified veterinary ophthalmologist. Don't settle for any less when it comes to your pet's ophthalmology needs!

A board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist is a veterinarian who has completed advanced specialty training focused exclusively on eye diseases. After veterinary school, they undergo a rigorous residency program in ophthalmology and must pass comprehensive examinations to become board certified. This specialized training allows them to diagnose and treat complex eye conditions and perform advanced eye surgeries, such as cataract surgery, to help protect your pet’s vision and comfort.

No, a referral is not required to schedule an appointment. However, having one can be helpful so we can review your pet’s history and ensure the appointment is scheduled appropriately for their needs.

The urgency of an eye problem depends on both the type of issue and how long it has been present. Sudden changes, rapid worsening, signs of pain, or vision loss are often considered emergencies and should be addressed as soon as possible. If you are ever unsure whether your pet’s eye issue is urgent, we encourage you to contact us so we can help guide you on the next steps.

Even if your veterinarian has already performed diagnostics, all initial exams at Animal Eye Specialists include routine eye testing at no additional charge. These tests include the Schirmer Tear Test (dogs only), Fluorescein Stain, and Tonometry. They are essential for evaluating the overall health of your pet’s eyes. If your pet has two eyes, we will test both of them, even if only one is showing signs of a problem, so we can fully assess your pet’s ocular health and provide the most accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

We understand how concerning this can be, especially with senior pets. Many of the patients we see are older, and age alone does not prevent us from providing care. Our team is very experienced in safely anesthetizing and closely monitoring senior pets, and we carefully tailor our anesthesia plans based on your pet’s pre-surgical bloodwork, overall health, and individual needs. If anesthesia truly isn’t an option, we will work with you to develop a thoughtful plan focused on comfort, quality of life, and your pet’s well-being.

In most cases, your pet’s initial exam and surgery are scheduled on separate days. This allows us to complete a thorough evaluation, discuss findings and treatment options with you, and ensure the safest plan for your pet.

There are certain situations — such as emergencies — where same-day surgery may be necessary. These cases are evaluated individually.

If you are traveling from several hours away, we may be able to coordinate the exam and procedure more closely together to help minimize travel, depending on our schedule. Please let us know about your travel needs when scheduling so we can discuss available options.