Ocular Surgery in Non-mammalian Species

Ophthalmic surgery in nonmammalian species requires comprehensive knowledge of their unique anatomic, physiologic, and ecological adaptations. A key cross-taxonomic feature is the striated, voluntarily controlled iris in birds, reptiles, and amphibians, requiring anesthesia-based or intracameral dilation. Surgical techniques must also account for the rigid lens and corneal architecture of fish, the fragile corneas of amphibians, the spectacle and subspectacular space of some reptiles, the scleral ossicles in birds, lizards, chelonians, teleosts and some amphibians, and powerful nictitating membrane of birds. Across all groups, meticulous anesthesia, magnification, and tailored perioperative management are essential for successful outcomes and animal welfare.