Speaker Biography

Dennis Brooks

DVM, PhD, DACVO

Dr. Brooks

Peterson Smith Equine Hospital and Complete Care

Dennis E. Brooks DVM, PhD, Dip ACVO is a 1980 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. He passed the certifying examination of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) in 1984. Dr Brooks received a PhD in 1987 from the University of Florida College of Medicine.

Dr Brooks has written over 200 academic scientific publications, 76 book chapters, received $2.3 million in research grants, and has given over 1000 lectures both nationally and internationally in comparative ophthalmology. His book, Equine Ophthalmology, was published in 2002 and again in 2008. A book Small Animal Ophthalmology was published in 2011. He received the British Equine Veterinary Association’s Sir Frederick Smith Memorial Lecture and Medal Recipient in 2007, and received the Frank J. Milne State of the Art Award of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) in 2010. The AAEP also gave him its Distinguished Educator Award in 2016.

He has been a scientist and clinician in academia at the University of Tennessee and the University of Florida, and is a Professor Emeritus of Ophthalmology at the University of Florida since 2015. Dr Brooks was the President of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists from 1997-1998.  He operates an equine ophthalmology consulting service Brookseyes LLC in Florida and Texas at present. Dr Brooks has extensive experience in corneal surgery, and pioneered corneal transplantation and cataract surgery of the horse.

Lectures

  • Saturday, October 31, 2026 8:00 - 8:50 a.m. Terrace

    Summary of Ocular Anatomy and Physiology Equine

    Eye examination and therapeutic techniques including dazzle reflex, ocular photography, how to think through a horse eye exam, nerve blocks, significance of corneal colors, significance of vitreal colors and opacities, fluorescein staining, Seidel’s test and interpretation, tear film breakup time and interpretation will be discussed. Clinical cases will be discussed.

  • Saturday, October 31, 2026 9:00 - 9:50 a.m. Terrace

    Eye Examination and Therapeutic Techniques Equine

    Eye examination and therapeutic techniques including slitlamp, tonometry, OCT, and ultrasonography. Collagen cross linking, corneal cytology, diamond burring, intrastromal injections, and intravitreal injections will be covered. Clinical cases will be discussed.

  • Saturday, October 31, 2026 10:00 - 10:50 a.m. Terrace

    Diagnosis and Therapy of Melting, Deep and Perforated Ulcers in Horses Equine

    The mechanisms for corneal ulcers becoming deeper will be discussed. Management of melting, deep and perforated ulcers includes sterilizing the ulcer surface, reducing tear film protease activity, minimizing corneal edema, reduction of uveitis, moderation of corneal fibrosis, and replacement of missing corneal collagen. Clinical cases will illustrate the management concepts.

  • Saturday, October 31, 2026 11:00 - 11:50 a.m. Terrace

    Diagnosis and Therapy of Nonulcerative Keratopathies of Horses Equine

    Diagnosis and therapy of nonulcerative keratopathies of horses including stromal abscesses, linear keratopathy, the five forms of immune mediated keratitis, and corneal neoplasia will be discussed. Clinical cases will illustrate the management concepts.