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Cataract surgery and lens implantation on penguins, who are increasingly blind due to their advanced age, have become the world's first successful and hot topic.
According to CNN and CBS on Jan. 15 local time, Singapore's animal rights group Mandai Wildlife Reserve issued a statement the day before saying that six penguins in Jurong Bird Park in the western region of Jurong had undergone surgery.
Three of the six are king penguins, all over 6 years old, and the rest are Humboldt penguins between the ages of 6 and 3.
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All six had cataract surgery two months ago, and three of the king penguins have since undergone additional custom intraocular lens implantation.
Veterinarian Ellen Rashidi explained why she decided to have surgery: "We noticed that the penguins' eyes were cloudy and they didn't seem to see the things in front of them."
"Lens implantation was also performed to improve vision," he said, adding, "The king penguin had larger eyes than other penguins, so it was suitable for surgery."
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The lenses used in the surgery were custom-made over a two-month period in Germany and were reportedly made with precision to fit the penguin's eyes.
Another veterinarian, Gladys Boo, who led the operation, said, "The third eyelid, which is responsible for protecting the penguin's eyes in the water, kept closing during the operation, causing difficulties."
He also stressed that the success of the lens implant "marks a milestone in veterinary medicine."
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All six have now regained their sight, reportedly returning to their previous levels of activity and responsiveness.
This is the first time in the world that a penguin has undergone eye lens implantation.
"The wage penguins are adjusting well to the new lens," Rashidi said, "and it's great to see them active."
(Photo = Yonhap News, excerpt from Mandai Wildlife Reserve website)