Specialist eye care for pets

James Histed is a highly respected veterinary ophthalmologist and an accomplished surgeon. What makes him particularly good at his job is his pleasant disposition and non-judgemental approach.

James is an effective communicator and has a genuine understanding of the needs of both referring vets and owners.

James Histed has assisted me with management of a wide range of cases, from routine to more complex ophthalmic conditions.  As well as him being a trusted referral partner, I’ve also valued the advice service offered by Clarity Referrals.  James is very accessible by phone, email or WhatsApp; he’s someone who goes out of his way to help.

One of the main benefits of working with James is that I am constantly learning from each case.  I’ve particularly appreciated his very comprehensive follow-up reports.  I feel I now have a much better understanding of certain ophthalmic conditions which means I can provide more tailored care in first-opinion practice

I have known James for several years, in his capacity as both colleague and mentor. James is not only a dedicated and determined ophthalmologist, he is also very approachable and extremely pleasant to work with.

He is genuinely interested in helping others. With a calm, non-judgemental approach, James’s collegial style allows veterinary professionals to grow.

I have referred patients with a wide range of ophthalmic conditions to James Histed, including acute blindness and deep corneal ulcers.  He has also provided me with a trusted and timely second opinion on management of patients with dry eye, red eye and uveitis.  

Working with James is a very positive experience.  He’s approachable, professional, thorough and incredibly generous with his time.  James always provides extensive feedback and clear notes about each case and he immediately puts clients at their ease.  

We feel very fortunate to have access to his expertise in the region.

Passionate about the quality of his work, James Histed sets very high standards of care for patients in both surgical and medical cases. I have personally seen qualities in James that I aspire to as a fellow specialist. This expertise also comes across very well to
owners.

First-opinion vets benefit from James’ attentive and responsive approach. He is a considerate colleague who is always very willing to offer his time and expertise, fit in emergencies or respond quickly to questions, all of which can be critical for management
of urgent cases.

With enormous attention to detail, James takes time to assess patients and plan treatment. Among the cohort of long-term patients his reassuring, calm presence goes down extremely well with owners. I would be very happy for him to operate on my own dog, should there ever be a need.

It is reassuring to be able to refer a case to a known practitioner and whose high level of skill, professionalism and integrity I completely trust.  Having an independent specialist ophthalmologist so close is a real advantage, as I always prefer to refer as locally as possible.

James is responsive and accommodating when a referral is made.  His follow-up reports are prompt, concise and highly informative.  It is vital that when we refer a case to a specialist, we can rely on them to provide clear answers and practical guidance, and James consistently does so.

Clients have been extremely positive about the care they and their pets have received, commenting not only on the excellent results he achieves, but also on his calm and compassionate manner which helps to put both them and their pets at ease.

He provides a high standard of specialist care while offering a very accessible and competitive pricing structure, making his service an excellent option for both me and my clients.

James Histed is an extremely competent and proficient veterinary surgeon with an incredibly thorough knowledge of his specialist field. He strives to achieve the best possible outcome for every case and doesn’t ever settle for anything less than perfection.

As well as being a supportive colleague, James is also popular with owners who find him personable and empathetic. If my dog had an eye problem, James is the vet I would turn to!

As a recent graduate, diagnosing and managing ophthalmic conditions is probably the most daunting aspect of veterinary practice.  Over the past eight months I ve referred a wide range of eye cases to James Histed at Clarity Referrals and have also sought advice about cases we have managed in-house.   

I’ve consequently come to depend on James, and during this time we ve established a strong partnership built on trust.  James is never judgemental, he is incredibly supportive as a colleague and feedback from clients has also been very good.  

A big advantage of working with James Histed is his speed of reply.  Typically, he is very responsive.  This reduces uncertainty and gives me peace of mind that I am able to manage clients  expectations.  Just knowing he is there takes away the stress.  

The level of detail in his reports is second to none.  As well as being in-depth, they are also easy for me to interpret and communicate to owners.  If I need to doublecheck any aspect of my case management, James is always willing to advise, meaning I can continue to provide a high level of care in-house for our patients and never feel we are cutting corners.

James Histed is a dedicated professional, always putting in a tremendous effort to satisfying clients’ and patients’ needs, and striving to achieve the optimal outcome in both medical and surgical cases.

I’d have no hesitation sending my own pet to James. He is highly committed to communicating the plan and likely outcome to owners, addressing any questions and remaining responsive to their concerns.

James is also a strong team player, fostering positive interaction with first-opinion vets, nurses and other specialists.

Cataract treatment for Oscar

Pauline’s 11-year-old poodle, Oscar, developed cataracts in both eyes.  He suffered with diabetes and his blindness had been progressing for a while.  Following a consultation with Oscar’s regular vet, he was referred to specialist ophthalmologist Dr James Histed from Clarity Referrals.  

Pauline doesn’t have her own transport but was keen to give Oscar the best chance of specialist treatment.  James offered to carry out the initial assessment at Pauline’s home and two days later Oscar was booked in for surgery at Clarity Referrals.  

Pauline explains, “Not only did I feel a huge sense of relief that Oscar’s problems would be dealt with, I was also comforted to know that James would plan everything to minimise the travelling for us.  His calm approach and the way he explains everything is very reassuring.  I knew we were going to be in safe hands – from the dedicated anaesthetist supporting him during the procedure, through to the detailed aftercare and check-ups. 

Oscar means the world to me.  We are inseparable and it was upsetting to see him struggling so much.  Since the cataract procedure the change has been remarkable.  Oscar can now see and his quality of life is considerably better.  All my friends have noticed the difference in him.

James certainly goes the extra mile for me.  When transport became a challenge, he was kind enough to visit Oscar at home for his initial consultation and follow-up assessments, ensuring he could still access specialist ophthalmic care.  What’s more, James is always on the end of the phone if I have any questions or concerns.

Woody’s treatment for corneal ulcers

Bev’s four-year-old French Bulldog, Woody, had suffered with corneal ulcers and was being treated for a ruptured ulcer in his right eye.  Attempts to stabilise the condition had not been successful.  Woody was subsequently referred to Dr James Histed at Clarity Referrals in Sherborne for urgent assessment.

Bev explains, “It was a very worrying and emotional time for us.  But from the moment I met James, I was certain that this was somebody who could help.  James has incredible empathy with owners and an amazing rapport with dogs.  Seeing him with Woody filled me with complete confidence – here was a veterinary professional that I could trust, and my dog’s eyes would be safe in his hands. 

Both eyes were assessed during our first consultation, and then James told us he needed to examine Woody under anaesthetic before deciding on the treatment plan.  James took the trouble to call us during the examination to discuss his findings.  Sadly, there was nothing that could be done to save the eye with the ruptured ulcer.  However, James explained he could treat the other eye by placing a graft over the ulcer.  At the same time, he would carry out a small procedure to help Woody close and lubricate his eye.  

What then followed was a series of review appointments to monitor Woody during his recovery.  James even brought an appointment forward so that Woody could be seen before my holiday.

James is a highly skilled surgeon and the procedure was done beautifully.  We really believe the level of care at Clarity Referrals is second to none; James looked after Woody like his own pet.  In our view this isn’t a profit-making organisation – at Clarity Referrals the focus is all about the animal’s health.

Woody has gradually adapted to life with one eye and we think he’s doing really well, thanks to James.  I only wish we’d known about Clarity Referrals sooner.” 

With exceptional communication skills, James takes time to explain the diagnosis and treatment options to referring vets. He is known for being very thorough with examinations and note-taking and responsive to their questions. His descriptive letters about the case are always appreciated by veterinary colleagues.

James also displays deep empathy with owners in the consulting room, making sure they are settled, relaxed and fully informed throughout.

I have found him to be an extremely precise and efficient surgeon, reducing time and inconvenience for the owner and their pet. His patient outcomes are incredible, with minimal risk of complications.

Effy’s treatment

Charlie’s seven-year-old working cocker spaniel, Effy, developed some worrying symptoms in her right eye including discharge and conjunctival inflammation.  The problem had persisted for several weeks with little response to treatment, so Effy was then referred to James Histed at Clarity Referrals in Sherborne.

Following a thorough examination and tests, James’ working diagnosis was Dacryorhinocystitis caused by a blocked tear duct.  He recommended that Effy begin a course of medication to treat the problem.

Charlie explains, “After the previous worries, it was reassuring that James was able to quickly diagnose Effy’s condition and put her on the right course of treatment straight away.  As a working dog, it was important for Effy to make a quick recovery.  I’m happy to report that she has been fine ever since and has resumed normal activities.

I cannot fault the service we received from Clarity Referrals.  The entire journey has been five star – from the initial booking process, through to the consultation, treatment plan and follow-up assessment.  James has a very compassionate approach and worked wonders with Effy, immediately recognising she was nervous and doing everything he could to put her at ease.  I was so pleased with the experience that I’ve since told all my friends about James.” 

From direct experience working with James, I have seen first hand how well he relates to others, providing peace of mind for referring vets and putting owners immediately at their ease.

There are rarely any complications with his cases and he is able to achieve extraordinarily high success rates for both medical and surgical treatments.

James is always very happy for referring vets to observe treatment and get involved in the case management, which is a great way for them to learn.

Owners often come to see him with very little understanding of their pet’s condition or the potential treatment pathways. James is very good at explaining exactly what he can do for their pet so they have a much clearer picture of all the options and outcomes. They are usually overjoyed when they see how the intervention can improve their dog’s or cat’s quality of life.

In summary, James delivers exceptional value for both referring vets and their owners; a win-win outcome.

When my cat, Stripey Dave, was hit by a reversing car, James was quick to respond in the race to save his eye, which had been damaged by the trauma. Liaising closely with my own vet, James provided advice and support to improve Dave’s chances of a good recovery.

I was immediately struck by James’ overriding commitment to my cat’s welfare. He communicates in a very caring and calm manner. I remember feeling a sense of complete confidence in his ability; he certainly knows his stuff!

Thanks to James’ timely advice, I’m pleased to say Stripey Dave went on to lead a normal life for many years