Dr. Laura Barnes, DVM, DACVO

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Get to know Veterinary Ophthalmologist Dr. Laura Barnes, who serves patients in Texas.

Dr. Barnes is a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist who has been working at Central Texas Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Hospital in Austin, Texas since the summer of 2010. She enjoys the difficulties and challenges of cataract surgery as well as eyelid and corneal surgery.  

With a love for all aspects of veterinary ophthalmology and its mix with other specialties, Dr. Barnes is certified to treat multiple ocular abnormalities in dogs and cats including trauma, corneal ulcers, corneal lacerations, corneal foreign bodies, glaucoma, removal of cataracts (cataract surgery with lens replacement), repair of corneal perforations, treatment of feline herpes virus, as well as eyelid and eyelash abnormalities. She works closely with other specialists (internal medicine, neurology, emergency and critical care, oncology and surgery) in the hospital to provide the best care for patients and to make sure they have the best quality care possible. 

Born in California, Dr. Barnes graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science, with a minor in Chemistry, from California Polytechnic State University in 2001. She then went on to earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Ross University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2005, after which she performed her general rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the University of Saskatchewan Western College of Veterinary Medicine. From there, she furthered her training with an internship in ophthalmology and a residency in comparative veterinary ophthalmology at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine.

Boarded in the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology, Dr. Barnes has been a veterinarian in general for nearly two decades. She enjoys helping her clients understand their animal’s ocular disease and treatment options.  

An active member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, her areas of research include photodynamic therapy for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma in horses.

Ophthalmology is a branch of medicine and surgery, which deals with the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. A veterinary ophthalmologist is a veterinarian who specializes exclusively in treating eye disorders in animals. 

When not working, Dr. Barnes can be found on her mountain or road bike. She also enjoys photography, crossfit, building legos,  hiking, weightlifting, yoga, and Pilates. She has one dog, Molly and one cat, named Black.  

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