By: Ryan Duey
As part of the national ACVO/Epicur Service Animal Volunteer Eye Screening event, Kansas State University’s ophthalmology team will once again offer free eye exams to eligible service and working animals throughout the month of May. Since 2013, the team has offered eye screening to approximately 86,000 animals.
Dr. Jessica Meekins, KSU Ophthalmology Professor, along with other staff members, will be providing these services at the Veterinary Health Center. Special screenings will also take place at the McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Fort Riley, and KSDS in Washington. Dr. Meekins said this service is provided every year.
“Kansas State has been participating in this event for over a decade. It’s a national event that is sponsored by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.”
“We are able to participate because we are diplomats of the college. As such, we are able to provide complementary screening eye exams for all service and working animals.”
Dr. Meekins said there is no limit to how many eligible animals they can provide screenings for; individuals just need to register, then call to make an appointment. Dr. Meekins said any recognized service or working animal is eligible.
“Any trained, recognized service or working animal is eligible to participate. Owners and handlers need to go to a specific website, acvoeyeexam.org, to register and receive a registration number.”
“Owners then simply call the Kansas State University Veterinary Health Center and provide that information to schedule an appointment.”
The deadline to register an eligible animal is April 30th. The exam will look for potential problems such as cataracts, retinal diseases, and other serious abnormalities. Dr. Meekins stated that early detection is vital for these animals.
Visit https://www.ksvhc.org/services/specialty-services/ophthalmology/ for more information.
