Singapore penguins given cataract surgical procedure in seemingly world’s first

Authorities at Singapore zoo have efficiently fitted three aged king penguins with {custom} eye lenses throughout a first-such ever surgical procedure to take away cataracts within the eyes of aquatic birds, officers mentioned.

The three aged penguins are amongst a complete six who have been operated for cataract surgical procedure two months in the past and have since totally recovered, the officers mentioned.

“After being identified with cataracts final 12 months, six of our senior penguins underwent profitable surgical procedure to assist them regain their sight. We’re so glad to see they’ve since made a full restoration,” the vets with the Mandai wildlife group mentioned.

“Not solely does this process assist to reinforce their total well-being and high quality of life, however it will additionally help within the penguins’ transition to their new residence in #BirdParadise once they transfer,” the wildlife group mentioned in a Fb publish on Tuesday.

These embrace King penguins aged 20 and outdated and three Humboldt penguins aged between seven and 13 and residing at Singapore’s Jurong Fowl Park.

The wildlife group mentioned that through the “delicate procedures”, the medical doctors eliminated the cataracts and implanted {custom} lenses for the King penguins in “seemingly a primary of its type for the species”.

“Submit surgical procedure, the sufferers recuperated in a separate den the place keepers gave eye drops twice a day,” the wildlife group mentioned.

It added that zookeepers carried out comply with up checks two months later and located that the penguins had recovered nicely, to in the end discharge them to rejoin the colony.

A medical situation affecting each folks and animals, cataracts trigger cloudy areas within the eye and impair sight.

Veterinarian Ellen Rasidi informed CNN that the medical doctors seen the cloudiness of their (eyes) and in consequence, “they have been having issue seeing issues in entrance of them”.

A veterinary ophthalmologist Gladys Boo who was additionally part of the surgical procedure mentioned that the king penguins obtained custom-made intraocular lens implants, which she thought-about “a milestone in veterinary medication”.