In any patient with ocular injury or ill health, preserving vision and, perhaps even more importantly, reducing ocular pain must be the prime objectives. The veterinary practice has the opportunity to deal with patients in a holistic manner so that, even if appropriate treatment for the ocular condition is not immediately available, pain relief can be given and an appropriate environment arranged if the animal’s sight is impaired, even as referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist is being arranged. Case examples: Corneal ulceration in a dog; Glaucoma in a dog.