Elderly penguins suffering from cataracts underwent successful surgery and received new custom-made glasses at a Singapore wildlife sanctuary, in what has been hailed as “a milestone in veterinary medicine.”
Six geriatric birds, cared for by Mandai Wildlife Group, underwent the innovative surgery two months ago and have since made a full recovery.
They include three king penguins aged 20 and over, who had their lenses replaced with artificial intraocular lens implants, believed to be the world’s first procedure in penguins.
Meanwhile, three Humboldt penguins also underwent surgery to help improve their eyesight and improve their quality of life.
Incredible behind-the-scenes photos show the surgeries on the birds, in which the cloudy lens was removed.
After Surgery: Holly, the 17-year-old Humboldt penguin, after surgery. She can see a marked improvement in her left eye, and she now has a new lease on life since having her cataract removed.
Before surgery: Holly’s cataract was evident to caregivers by cloudiness in her left eye.
Common among humans and animals alike, cataracts cause cloudy areas in the eye that make it difficult to see and are common in old age.
“The success of these surgeries marks a milestone in veterinary medicine,” said Dr. Gladys Boo, a veterinary ophthalmologist with The Eye Specialist for Animals.
“While intraocular lens implants are common for humans and some domestic mammals, this is likely the first time they have been used successfully in penguins.”
“As a larger species, king penguins have eyes large and stable enough to hold custom lenses in place, so we decided to perform this world’s first procedure to further improve their vision above removal. of the cataract.”
The delicate procedure is particularly difficult to perform on penguins because of their third eyelid, Dr. Boo said.
Designed to protect your eyes underwater, this layer tends to close up during surgery.
The group of birds was diagnosed with cataracts after a checkup at their colony in August 2022.
Dr Ellen Rasidi, a veterinarian at Mandai Wildlife Group, said: “We noticed the cloudiness in their glasses and moving as if they were having a hard time seeing things in front of them.”
A king penguin undergoing cataract surgery at The Eye Specialist for Animals clinic
Customized intraocular lenses were implanted into the eye of a king penguin using a medical device, the first procedure of its kind for penguins.
Veterinary ophthalmologist Dr. Gladys Boo (right) checks the eye of a king penguin while Senior Veterinary Nurse Marcus Tan holds the bird.
‘Animal cataract surgeries are becoming more common and effective in restoring vision.
“Together with the animal care team, we opted for this procedure to improve their general welfare and well-being, as well as help them transition to their new home in Bird Paradise when they move in.
“Since the recovery period, we have observed an increase in responsiveness and activity levels in the penguins.
A king penguin undergoing cataract surgery, performed by an expert surgeon at The Eye Specialist for Animals
A medical device is used to check the eye pressure of a Humboldt penguin at the Jurong Bird Park
“It’s good to see them more active, indicating their improved vision, and for the king penguins, they’re also adapting well to the new glasses.”
After the operation, the penguins had to stay out of the water and remain in a separate den from the rest of the colony to recover.
His keepers at Jurong Wildlife Park also had to administer eye drops twice a day.
Happily, vets say the penguins have now made a full recovery two months after surgery.
Penguin keeper Hafiz Yani prepares the male King Penguin, Fox, for his trip to The Eye Specialist for Animals clinic
As part of post-surgery care, penguin keepers and veterinary nurses administer eye drops to the penguins twice a day.
King Penguin Theo recovering from his surgery in a separate lair from the main exhibit
The birds are now back with the rest of their colony at the Jurong Bird Park, and the improvement in their quality of life is evident, according to keepers.
Holly the Humboldt penguin has had a marked improvement in her left eye, which has now cleared up after the cataract was removed.
Before her treatment, the 17-year-old penguin had a visibly cloudy lens in her left eye.
But since then, caregivers say she has been more active and responsive to her surroundings since the operation, indicating that her vision has improved.
Other images show penguins during their operations and a king penguin, named Theo, recovering from his surgery.
