Welcome To Animal Eye Specialty Center

The Offices of Dr. Robert D. Larocca, DVM, Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologist,

Dr. Melissa Lively, DVM, Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologist,

Animal Eye Specialty Center Would Like to Welcome and Introduce Dr. Hannah Flanders, DVM, MS, Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologist  Beginning Sept. 2023!

Animal Eye Specialty Center is a private referral center for specialized professional eye care and surgery of most species of animals. AESC is located in Andover, MN., a northern suburb of Minneapolis/ St. Paul. We are sure you will find AESC a unique facility to provide you and your pets a high quality and rewarding experience. Patients referred to our facility are only evaluated for their ophthalmic concerns and we are not affiliated with any other veterinary practice. When referring a patient to a specialist, your veterinarian is giving you the option for the best possible care. We believe a team oriented approach to treatment is the best option in treating the eye condition.We will work with your referring veterinarian in providing the best professional eye care for your patient. Animal Eye Specialty Center is equipped with state of the art equipment to provide the best possible care for your pet. Equine and other large animal eye patients will be seen at either Anoka Equine Veterinary Services in Elk River, Minnesota or Stillwater Equine in Stillwater, Minnesota. To schedule an equine or large animal appointment contact AESC.

What is a Veterinary Ophthalmologist?

A veterinary ophthalmologist is a veterinary specialist that diagnosis and treats diseases of the eyes of animals. To become a veterinary ophthalmologist an individual has to acquire a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and then pursues further training that usually involves a 1 year internship program followed by a 3-year ophthalmology residency program in an ACVO approved residency program. Following successful completion of the residency, the prospective ophthalmologist must complete a rigorous credentialing process and 3-day comprehensive examination. Following successful completion of this credentialing and examination process the candidate becomes a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists and is a board certified ophthalmologist. Only Board certified ophthalmologists can claim that they are specialists in veterinary ophthalmology.