Veterinary Ophthalmology Services

What Veterinary Ophthalmology Services does

Veterinary Ophthalmology Services (VOS), operating as VOS Animal Eye Care Clinics, is an AAHA-accredited specialty referral veterinary ophthalmology practice headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. Founded approximately 35 years ago, the practice provides comprehensive eye care for small animals, exotics, and wildlife across middle Tennessee and surrounding states. VOS operates four (soon five) physical locations across Tennessee — Nashville, Chattanooga, Murfreesboro, Jackson (monthly visits), and Spring Hill (effective April 2026) — and is staffed by four board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists (Diplomates ACVO) trained at top U.S. programs.

The practice's core service offering rests on four pillars: comprehensive ophthalmic examinations (Schirmer tear test, tonometry, fluorescein stain); advanced diagnostic testing (electroretinography, chromatic pupillary light reflex testing, B-scan ocular ultrasonography, ophthalmography, Doppler blood pressure); a broad ophthalmic surgery suite (cataract removal with species-specific intraocular lens implantation, gonioimplantation, endoscopic laser cyclophotocoagulation, keratotomy, keratectomy, corneal transplantation, blepharoplasty, cryotherapy, enucleation with prosthesis); and CAER certification exams submitted to the OFA Companion Animal Eye Registry. Underlying technology is exclusively clinical hardware and surgical instrumentation — there is no AI, software platform, or digital product layer.

VOS generates revenue primarily from professional service fees for examinations, diagnostics, and outpatient surgery, supplemented by prescription medication sales (drops, ointments, lubricants, and compounded preparations) distributed via clinic pickup, mail, or local pharmacy call-in. Pricing is condition-specific with written estimates provided prior to any non-routine procedure, and payment is expected in full at service completion. Financing is facilitated through CareCredit (interest-free plans up to 12 months) and Cherry Financing; discounts are offered to registered 501(c)(3) rescue groups and service animals, and free exams are provided during May through the ACVO service animal program. The go-to-market motion is sales-led and referral-driven — primary care veterinarians across Tennessee and surrounding states refer cases, although direct appointments from pet owners are accepted. Customer segments include pet owners (primary), referring veterinarians, dog breeders (CAER certification), and equine clients seen via partner clinics. VOS became the second specialty veterinary practice in Tennessee to earn AAHA accreditation in 2013.

Name

Veterinary Ophthalmology Services

Legal name

Veterinary Ophthalmology Services

Website

https://vostn.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Veterinary Ophthalmology Services is an AAHA-accredited specialty referral practice in Tennessee providing comprehensive eye exams, advanced diagnostics, and ophthalmic surgery for animals, staffed by four board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists (Diplomates ACVO) across four locations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veterinary Specialty Services (Ophthalmology)

NAICS

Veterinary Services (54194)

SIC

Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093)

akta.pro primary industry

Veterinary Ophthalmology Specialty Centers (HLAMACAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Veterinary Imaging, Surgery & Specialty Referral Centers (AFAEANAG)

Keywords

• Veterinary ophthalmology services
• Animal eye care
• Veterinary diagnostics
• Ophthalmic surgery
• Pet eye exams

Headquarters

HQ city

Nashville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Specialty veterinary ophthalmic examinations: Comprehensive ophthalmic exams including Schirmer tear test, tonometry, and fluorescein stain. Initial examinations are performed before recommending or scheduling surgical procedures.
2. Diagnostic testing services: Advanced diagnostic procedures including electroretinography, chromatic pupillary light reflex testing, high-resolution B-scan ocular ultrasonography, and ophthalmography. May require sedation and few hours stay.
3. Ophthalmic surgery: Wide range of surgical procedures including cataract surgery with lens implantation, glaucoma surgery, corneal procedures, eyelid surgery, tumor removal, laser therapy, and enucleation. All outpatient procedures.
4. Prescription medications: Eye medications including drops, ointments, and lubricants. Medications can be picked up at office, mailed, or called in to local pharmacies. Compounded medications also available.
5. CAER (Companion Animal Eye Registry) exams: Eye certification exams for purebred dogs screening hereditary eye diseases, utilized by breeders and tracked by OFA.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Veterinary Ophthalmology Services is an AAHA-accredited specialty referral practice that performs comprehensive ophthalmic examinations, advanced diagnostic testing, and a full range of ophthalmic surgeries for small animals, exotics, and wildlife. Services include cataract removal with species-specific intraocular lens implantation, glaucoma procedures, corneal and eyelid surgeries, CAER eye certification exams for purebred dogs, and prescription medication management. The practice operates across five Tennessee locations, accepting both direct appointments and referrals from primary care veterinarians.

Product overview

Veterinary Ophthalmology Services (VOS) is an AAHA-accredited specialty referral practice offering comprehensive veterinary ophthalmology services across Tennessee. The core offering consists of four integrated service pillars: Comprehensive Ophthalmic Exams, Diagnostic Testing (including ERG, ultrasonography, and pressure measurements), Eye Certification (CAER) Exams for purebred dogs, and Ophthalmic Surgery. These core services are supported by patient resources including the Medication Guide, Surgery Guide, New Patient Guide, and Ophthalmic Diseases Information. The practice operates multiple locations (Nashville, Chattanooga, Murfreesboro, Jackson, and Spring Hill) and provides medication refill services through online, phone, and mail channels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Comprehensive Ophthalmic Exams Thorough evaluation of the structure and function of pets' eyes and visual system for dogs, cats, exotics, and wildlife, including Schirmer tear test, tonometry (intraocular pressure measurement), and fluorescein stain. Used to identify problems and recommend medical or surgical treatment options for pet owners and patients referred by primary care veterinarians.
• Diagnostic Testing Advanced ophthalmic diagnostic procedures for pets, including electroretinography (ERG), chromatic pupillary light reflex testing to facilitate diagnosis of SARDS and immune-mediated retinitis, high-resolution B-scan ocular ultrasonography, ophthalmography of the anterior segment and fundus, and Doppler blood pressure measurement. Some procedures may require mild sedation and a few hours stay; written estimates are provided before any recommended procedure.
• Ophthalmic Surgery Full range of ophthalmic surgical procedures performed on pets, including cataract removal with species-specific intraocular lens implantation, lens removal for luxations, glaucoma procedures (gonioimplantation and endoscopic laser cyclophotocoagulation), keratotomy with grid or diamond burr, keratectomy, corneal laceration repair, conjunctival graft, corneoscleral transposition, corneal transplantation for structural support, repair of prolapsed gland of the nictating membrane, dermoid removal, ectopic cilia excision, ocular tumor or mass removal, blepharoplasty (entropion/ectropion, H-plasty, Z-plasty), enucleation with placement of intraorbital silicone prosthesis, eyelid reconstruction, cryotherapy, foreign body removal, ocular evisceration with intrascleral prosthesis, laser therapy for uveal melanomas and retinopexy, and parotid duct transposition for medically refractory KCS. All procedures are outpatient.
• Eye Certification (CAER) Exams Screening examinations for hereditary eye diseases and abnormalities in purebred dogs, performed by board-certified Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists and submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) Companion Animal Eye Registry to track trends in eye disease and breed susceptibility. Used by breeders as a guide to produce healthier dogs.
• Medication Refill Services Prescription refill handling for ongoing ophthalmic medications including drops, ointments, lubricants, and compounded preparations. Patients can submit requests via online form, phone, or email, with options for mail delivery, clinic pickup, or pharmacy call-in to local pharmacies.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Lighthouse Veterinary Allergy & DermatologyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 24 April 2026VOS will begin seeing patients at Lighthouse Dermatology location in Spring Hill starting April 24, 2026. This expands VOS's geographic reach into the Spring Hill area through this partner location.
• Jackson Pet Emergency ClinicminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVOS visits Jackson Pet Emergency Clinic once a month to see patients. Their staff does not have access to VOS records, so all appointments must be scheduled through the Nashville office.
• Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) CAERcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVOS performs CAER (Companion Animal Eye Registry) exams to screen for hereditary eye diseases in purebred dogs. Results are submitted to OFA to track and provide information on trends in eye disease and breed susceptibility.
• American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVOS doctors are board-certified Diplomates of ACVO. Practice participates in ACVO's service animal eye exam program offering free exams during May. ACVO certification ensures high standards for veterinary ophthalmologists.
• Equine veterinary clinicsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVOS ophthalmologists see horses at designated large animal clinics: Equine Performax Veterinary Services at the Jaeckle Centre (Thompsons Station), Tennessee Equine Hospital (Thompsons Station), and Franklin Equine Services (Franklin) by special arrangement.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• CareCredit (Synchrony Financial): CareCredit is the leading veterinary and healthcare financing partner accepted by VOS. It is included as an ecosystem participant whose continued availability materially supports VOS's ability to convert high-ticket ophthalmic procedures that would otherwise be unaffordable.

Broad incumbents

• MedVet: MedVet is a multi-specialty veterinary hospital chain offering ophthalmology among its specialty services. It competes with VOS for referrals from primary care veterinarians in the broader Southeast and offers the cross-specialty pull-through that a single-specialty practice like VOS cannot match.
• BluePearl Veterinary Partners: BluePearl is a large multi-specialty veterinary hospital network with ophthalmology services as part of its broader specialty offering. While not focused exclusively on eyes, it competes for the same referral pool in overlapping geographies and employs many ACVO Diplomates, including Dr. West's prior employer.
• Ethos Veterinary Health: Ethos is a consolidator of specialty and emergency veterinary hospitals, with ophthalmology as one of its specialty service lines. It represents the institutional capital and scale backdrop against which VOS competes for both specialist talent and referral relationships.
• Animal Medical Center (AMC): AMC is a large non-profit specialty and teaching veterinary hospital in New York offering advanced ophthalmology services. While geographically distant from VOS, it sets the clinical capability benchmark and trains many of the ACVO Diplomates in the broader talent pool from which VOS recruits.
• VCA Animal Hospitals: VCA, owned by Mars Petcare, is the largest U.S. veterinary hospital network and includes specialty hospitals with ophthalmology services. As primary care vet practices consolidate under VCA, referral patterns may shift toward VCA's in-network specialists, making it a structural competitor for VOS's referral pipeline.

Direct peers

• Eye Care for Animals: Eye Care for Animals is a multi-location veterinary ophthalmology-only specialty practice offering cataract surgery, glaucoma treatment, and advanced ocular diagnostics across the U.S. It is the closest direct competitor to VOS in scope, with a comparable single-specialty model serving referral-based ophthalmology cases.

Emerging players

• Pet Eye Care Center: Pet Eye Care Center is a single-location veterinary ophthalmology specialty practice offering referral-based ocular exams and surgery. It represents the type of emerging single-specialty competitor that VOS may face in adjacent or overlapping metropolitan areas.

Regional players

• Veterinary Eye Specialists of Northeast Georgia: A regional veterinary ophthalmology practice in Georgia with a similar single-specialty referral model. It competes in the same referral-fed Southeast market for board-certified ophthalmologists and high-end surgical cases, and illustrates the regional model VOS operates within.
• University of Tennessee Veterinary Medical Center: UT's veterinary teaching hospital, located in Knoxville, provides ophthalmology services through its specialty clinic and is the alma mater of several VOS doctors. It is both a talent pipeline for VOS and a competing referral destination for complex cases in the broader Tennessee region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/vostn
• Instagraminstagram.com/veterinaryophthalmologysvcs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/veterinary-ophthalmology-services-inc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Veterinary Ophthalmology Services