About
Our Story
Veterinary Ophthalmology Services (VOS) was founded by Dr Melissa Meehan in 2009, originally providing treatment for shelter animals with eye disease at the RSPCA in Burwood. Since then, VOS has grown into a fully equipped mobile service, now offering ophthalmic consultation and surgery at the RSPCA as well as numerous clinics throughout metropolitan Melbourne. In addition, VOS is available to attend ocular emergencies at your clinic, if necessary, on the same day they present.
The mobility of VOS allows patients to be examined in consulting rooms at your clinic. This allows the patient and owner to remain in a familiar environment with the friendly support of your staff and helps avoid the stress often associated with referral to a foreign clinic. VOS works with you the referring veterinarian to manage the case holistically. You are able to retain the long-term treatment of your patient and dispense ongoing eye medications. VOS also allows your clinic to offer a large range of complex ophthalmic surgical procedures, including emergency surgeries that would otherwise require referral.
Veterinary Ophthalmology is the study of animal eyes of all species (with the exception of humans!) Animal eyes are highly complex, finely tuned organs that have evolved to provide optimum vision for the needs of each individual species. Eyes can be quite unforgiving when it comes to disease management and all too often veterinary patients are not the best at communicating the presence of a painful or vision threatening condition. Early and accurate diagnosis reduces the risk of vision impairment and provides an optimum outcome for your patients. For this reason, ophthalmic conditions can be quite challenging and referral may be necessary.
Meet Dr Melissa Meehan
Dr Melissa Meehan brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from her 14 years as a veterinarian. Along with this Dr Melissa is highly conscientious and thorough with excellent communication skills and an unwavering dedication to the welfare of her patients. You can be assured that your clients and their pet will feel reassured and at ease in Dr Melissa’s consults.
Dr Melissa graduated with Honours from the Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree at the University of Melbourne in 2002. Beginning her veterinary career as a mixed practice clinician in the Yarra Valley, she gained valuable experience with a broad range of species. Dr Melissa then practiced as a locum in Australia and overseas as well as working in the media industry where she co-hosted her own radio show and was the resident veterinarian on channel 10’s Talk to the Animals and channel 9’s Guide to the Good Life. In 2013 Dr Melissa was proud to be invited to host The University of Melbourne Veterinary Hospital tour, a short film showcasing the University of Melbourne Werribee Animal Hospital. Dr Melissa also provides veterinary advice on Bondivet.com, a website dedicated to providing pet owners with the latest pet advice.
Dr Melissa currently practices as a recognised professional interest and referral practitioner in ophthalmology. Dr Melissa has always had a keen interest in ophthalmology and began to focus on this area of veterinary medicine soon after graduating. In 2008 Dr Melissa became a Member of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists through examination in Small Animal Medicine. Since this time Dr Melissa has undergone more than 2 years of college approved, residency training under the direct supervision of qualified veterinary ophthalmology specialists where she was fortunate enough to be exposed to a large range of clinical and surgical ophthalmology cases in a number of species, including animals at Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Werribee Open Range Zoo. Dr Melissa also attended the ACVO William Magrane Basic Science Course in Veterinary and Comparative Ophthalmology at the University of North Carolina in 2014.
Dr Melissa has attended and presented at numerous national and international conferences on the topic of veterinary ophthalmology. Her presentations include:
2008
Orbital fat prolapse in a dog
2009
Anterior chamber suture post TSCPC in dogs
2009
Ocular manifestations of systemic disease
2012
Dacryocystocoele in a dog – CT appearance and histological diagnosis
2013
Deprivation amblyopia in a dog secondary to corneal dermoids
2013
Treatment of Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca in dogs with Mesenchymal Stem cells – case series
2014
Anterior chamber suture reduces the incidence of post operative intraocular hypertension following transcleral cyclophotocoagulation
2015
Ocular manifestation of Feline Mycobacteriosis
Dr Meehan also enjoys providing further education for referring veterinarians with frequent presentations on the subject of veterinary ophthalmology. Dr Meehan has co-authored several publications and is in the process of publishing further peer-reviewed studies in ophthalmology including an original case series on the use of Mesenchymal Stem Cells to treat Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (dry eye) in dogs.
Dr Meehan has a passion for animal welfare, this led to a close relationship with the RSPCA where she has been assisting shelter animals with eye disease since 2009. Dr Meehan has 3 RSPCA rescue dogs – 4 year old Shih Tzu Fuzzy who was born blind and two mischievous youngsters, Mia the Spoodle and Monty the Toy Poodle.
Interested in becoming one of our Vet Partners? Book an appointment.
Or, not yet a partner but have an urgent case that you’d like us to come and see.