After a two-year break due to the COVID pandemic, the ACVO/Epicur National Service Animal Eye Exam Event is back this May! As the namesake sponsor of the event, this is one of the Epicur team’s favorite events. It truly shows the compassion and heart of the veterinary community with veterinary ophthalmologists and their staff volunteering their time the entire month to give free eye exams to service animals. We’ve had the privilege of being at some of the clinics during these exams to see firsthand how much this event means to the pet, the owner, and the veterinary clinics.
Dr. Christine Lim, DVM, DACVO is an ophthalmologist at Eye Care for Animals and has volunteered for the ACVO/Epicur event for years. We recently sat down with her to learn more about why she chose veterinary ophthalmology and what this philanthropic event means to her.
Thanks for sharing your perspective on the event with us, Dr. Lim! Can you tell us more about your background and how you ended up in the veterinary field?
Like most kids, I loved animals. I did pet sitting and worked at various clinics and the Humane Society when I was younger. That led me to veterinary medicine. During school I developed an interest in ophthalmology, probably because it was both surgery and medicine rather than just one or the other, I got to do both.
After vet school in Ontario, I did a one-year internship in small animal medicine and surgery. Then I did one year in small animal general practice where I also spent time with an ophthalmologist on my days off to see how an ophthalmology practice worked. Following that, I went to UC Davis for a three-year residency in ophthalmology.
My first job as an ophthalmologist was in Saskatchewan at the university for a couple of years before joining the faculty in Minnesota for about seven years. Then we moved to Chicago, which is when I joined Eye Care for Animals.
What is it that’s so special about the ophthalmology specialty to you?
I think Ophthalmology is very cool because you can take someone who is blind and scared and give them their vision back; you’re helping them enjoy life again. Even in the sad cases where they’re permanently blind and they’re in pain, you can at least take away the pain and make them feel better.
I think the surgeries are very cool and a nice challenge. A lot of them are quite intricate and artistic, which makes them interesting. But it’s also a mix of surgery and medicine. So, I think it’s just a nice specialty because you get to do a lot of different things with different species. We do eyes so it doesn’t matter what animal you’re working with; you get a lot of variety.
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Do you specialize in a particular surgery or area of ophthalmology?
Veterinary ophthalmology specialties are less developed than they are in human physician medicine where you have retinal specialists, corneal specialists, etc. There are several veterinary retinal specialists in North America.
Personally, I like all ophthalmology surgeries because I like the mix, but I do enjoy intraocular surgery a little more than the others. It’s very intricate and more of a challenge. The area you’re working on is very small and all right in front of you. It was very hard for me as a general practitioner to enjoy things like abdominal surgery because it was less intricate and clean.
Ophthalmology definitely sounds like an interesting area of veterinary medicine! Let’s talk about the ACVO/Epicur National Service Animal Eye Exam Event – how long have you been participating?
For more than a decade – I’ve been volunteering since I started as an ophthalmologist in 2008. The clinic I was practicing in at the time would sign up, so that’s how I got into it.
There was a lot of promotion around it and it’s a fun event to do. I think everyone in ophthalmology is interested and willing to do it.
And your clinic does the exams for the police dogs, correct? How did you get connected with such an important group of service dogs?
Most practices I’ve worked at have police dogs as patients. For Chicago that was the case before I joined the practice. Working with them for the service animal event grew out of those connections.
For the event this year, one of my vet techs and I are going to drive down to the department’s canine training facility to do a bunch of exams back-to-back to make things easier for them this year.
Roy, a Chicago Police K-9, with Dr. Lim after completing his exam this year!
Are there any unique stories that you have from the event? Or a favorite animal that you’ve examined?
I think a lot of times it’s not just about the pet or the animal that you’re seeing. It’s just the whole relationship with the owner and how special their service animal is to them. It’s really nice to see the bond between the person and the service animal, a dog in most of these cases, and how much these dogs help these people in life.
Have any of the exams ever resulted in a big medical catch or impact on the service animal?
We did have one police dog, not in Chicago but somewhere else, and it turned out he was nearly blind from hereditary retinal degeneration. The police department and handler didn’t know that. Unfortunately, there was no way to save his sight or change the outcome but knowing that information is important because it impacts the dog’s ability to do its job.
Besides dogs, what other types of animals have you seen?
For the event, it’s mostly dogs. There are many service animals that aren’t dogs, but that’s the most common one I see during May exams.
Outside of the event, I think any of the zoo animals must be the most interesting. There was a Galapagos tortoise that was really happy to see me the first time but on the second visit she remembered why I was there, so she pulled her head in as soon as I walked into her area.
It’s been years, but I did cataract surgery on a bald eagle once. I used to see a lot of raptors when I was on faculty in Minnesota. Weekly we did eye exams at their raptor center where they treated injured raptors. That was a lot of fun. During zoo visits, I’ve had the opportunity to examine a whole bunch of different species.
That sounds like it makes for interesting workdays! Before we wrap up, what would you say the ACVO/Epicur Service Animal Eye Exam Event means to you and the impact that it has?
I think it’s just nice to be reminded that there is something special and good in what you do, that you can help people. It’s special in your job to be able to do things that you can see are making people happy. But not just that, you get to see how it can make a difference.
It really is a fun event and most of us like participating in it because we get something out of it. We get to see the impact. And after two years of not having it, I’m really looking forward to it!
Thanks, Dr. Lim! Check back in for more highlights from the ACVO/Epicur National Service Animal Eye Exam Event!
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The following blog is written by Epicur Pharma’s Advisory Council member Nicole Clausen, CSSGB, CCFP. With over 15 years of experience in the veterinary industry, Nicole understands a successful practice’s operations, intricacies, and internal workings—including sustainable inventory management strategies. Nicole shares her perspective on the importance of choosing the right compounding pharmacy to successfully manage your practice’s inventory. From Nicole In a veterinary practice, managing inventory is more than just a task– it’s the foundation for patient care! It’s about ensuring the health and well-being of our patients, supporting our team, and ultimately, making a difference in the lives of animals in our care and their humans. Choosing vendors to partner with your practice is an important part of managing inventory. But, selecting the right compounding pharmacy (or any vendor, in general) can seem daunting. When managing inventory, we are often taught to always look for the cheapest cost and choose our vendors that way. But, when it comes to compounded medications, there are many more factors to consider. Here are a few other vital factors to consider when picking a compounding pharmacy to partner with for your practice: 1. Understand Your Practice’s Needs Just as every animal is unique, so too are the needs of each veterinary practice. Before diving into the vendor selection process, take the time to assess your practice’s requirements. Consider factors such as the types of compounded medications frequently prescribed, the volume of orders, and any specific preferences or priorities. Think about: What products do we purchase frequently for in-office use? What products are often scripted out for individual patients? In what volumes or quantities do we often purchase? 2. Prioritize Quality and Safety When it comes to compounded medications, quality and safety should always be top priorities. Look for vendors that adhere to stringent quality control standards and comply with regulatory requirements. A reputable compounding pharmacy will prioritize product consistency, integrity, and safety. A 503B pharmacy, like Epicur Pharma, needs to follow strict guidelines (considered Current Good Manufacturing Practice or CGMP) and are regulated by the Food & Drug Administration. A Glimpse Into a 503B Facility: Manufacturing Quality in Veterinary Medicine Read the blog! 3. Seek Compounding Expertise Compounding medications for animals requires specialized knowledge and expertise. Look for vendors with a team of experienced compounding pharmacists who are knowledgeable (and passionate!) about veterinary medicine. A vendor with a proven track record of compounding success and a commitment to ongoing education and training would be a valuable partner for a veterinary practice. 4. Consider Turnaround Time, Availability, and Ease of Ordering Our practices are fast-paced, and often when a patient needs a specific prescription, starting it sooner can make a big impact. Additionally, the ordering platform should be easy to use and help you comply with compounded medication regulations. Choose a compounding pharmacy vendor capable of providing prompt turnaround times and reliable availability. Efficient communication and order processing are critical for ensuring that medications are delivered when needed. Ordering Made Easy with iFill! 5. Evaluate Customer Support A strong partnership with your compounding pharmacy vendor is built on effective communication and support. Look for vendors who prioritize customer service and are responsive to your practice’s needs. A vendor who is accessible, communicative, and willing to address any concerns or issues that arise is an invaluable asset to your practice. 6. Transparent Pricing and Cost Management While cost is certainly a factor, it’s essential to look beyond the price tag when selecting a compounding pharmacy vendor. Consider the vendor’s overall value, including factors such as product quality, service reliability, long-term cost savings, education, and commitment to excellence for our patients. Inventory Management Guide Five tips for improving your practice’s inventory processes, including important considerations for software tools and key reminders for your team! Save for My Practice 7. Embrace Partnership and Collaboration Ultimately, selecting the right compounding pharmacy vendor is about finding a partner who shares your practice’s values and priorities. Choose a vendor who is committed to collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. Think about: What does my practice value? What are our goals? Does this vendor I’m evaluating align with those values? Choosing the right compounding pharmacy for your practice is an important decision that requires careful consideration and intentional decision-making. Ultimately, consider your practice’s unique requirements, the alignment of values with the potential vendor, and the vendor’s dedication to innovation, safety, and quality. Thank you for sharing these insights, Nicole! Read more from Nicole! Meet Epicur’s Advisory Council: Nicole Clausen Shares Her Viewpoint on the Veterinary Industry as an Inventory Management Consultant Paw-sitively Efficient Inventory Management for Veterinary Professionals Building a Successful Inventory Management System with Nicole Clausen
