Seeing Clearly: Why I Wrote The Pet Eye Guide

By Dr Francisco Gómez CertAVP PgC(SAO) MRCVS

You get up one morning, thinking about getting ready for work, when through the sunrays filtering in through the window you notice something “weird” on Tigger’s eye. Oh no — what is it? Is it serious? Should you wait to see if it clears up, or book a vet appointment straight away? And will the vet think you’re overreacting for panicking about it?

The truth is, understanding eye problems isn’t straightforward — even for vets. Ophthalmology is one of those areas that tends to divide opinion. Some of us love eye cases, others not so much. There’s always that one vet who’d rather deal with a surgical emergency at 2am than see a mild conjunctivitis during morning consults.

Dr Gomez says his book is an aid to veterinary care, not a substitute for it.

After many years working in both the UK and Spain, I’ve realised that one of the greatest challenges in veterinary ophthalmology — the science behind the eyes of our pets — is not only recognising the patterns of disease, but also communicating them clearly to pet owners and carers. When it comes to eyes, the smallest changes can sometimes mean worrying things (like a tiny but very deep ulcer), while more obvious changes might only need monitoring.

That gap between vets, pets, and owners made me want to create The Pet Eye Guide: a friendly, clear, and practical resource based on real cases I’ve seen over the years. The conditions described in the book are just a small part of its main message — it’s really about helping owners recognise when something is amiss, and when it’s time to “vet-panic”. In Chapter 3, for example, I explain which signs to watch for, what they might mean, and how serious they are likely to be.

Before getting to Chapter 3, though, I start with a short section on anatomy and physiology — how the eye works. Stay with me! It’s only a few pages to establish a foundation. When I began writing, I realised that many owners aren’t familiar with the basic structures of the eye. Can you confidently tell the difference between the cornea and the iris? Without that understanding, it can be difficult for both you and your vet to communicate clearly about what’s happening and how to help Tigger. The eye isn’t something you can easily touch or point to, so a few minutes of learning can make a big difference.

The book isn’t a substitute for veterinary care, but an aid to it. It doesn’t cover every possible condition — perhaps a future edition will include more — but it gives readers a good idea of the most common eye issues they might encounter and how vets are likely to manage them. My goal is to give owners some peace of mind when their vet explains that something has happened to the “lens” in their diabetic pet, for example.

I currently work as a mobile veterinary ophthalmologist in Spain through my company, Ojo Veterinario, and I also continue to practise in the UK as a locum and general practitioner. Even after all these years, I still find myself learning something new almost every day. Writing The Pet Eye Guide has allowed me to share some of that knowledge and enthusiasm outside the consultation room — empowering owners without replacing the vital role of their vets.

The Pet Eye Guide could make a thoughtful Christmas gift for yourself or for someone who adores their pets. Early feedback from both owners and veterinary nurses has been overwhelmingly positive. One nurse told me, “This is great for pet owners — but I think some vets would benefit from it too!”

I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed creating it — and that it helps keep your pets’ eyes bright, healthy, and full of life.

Find out more at https://amzn.eu/d/g8jJoI2