Only about 300 veterinarians in the United States have board certification from the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists. As a result, if your dog needs a veterinary ophthalmologist, you may need to travel to see one. Some, but not all, veterinary ophthalmologists see dogs only by referral.
 
Despite the dog’s legacy as a hunter, the modern dog doesn’t have to hunt farther than her bowl to find her dinner. So good eyesight is not a necessity for a pet dog; her keen senses of hearing and smell can compensate when vision is impaired. Even so, it’s important that your dog’s eye problems be treated quickly so that she doesn’t suffer pain or develop worse problems. Work with your veterinarian to keep your dog’s vision in the best shape possible.
 
*P. McGreevey, T. Grassi, A. Harman, “A strong correlation exists between the distribution of retinal ganglion cells and nose length in the dog,” Brain, Behavior and Evolution 63(1):13–22.