cat eye for Lion ~eye operation for the big cat

Can you say whose eyes these are ?

Cataract : (Noun) means : 

1 : a clouding of the lens of the eye or of its surrounding transparent membrane that obstructs the passage of light 

2 :  waterfall; especially : a large one over a precipice

A cataract is an eye disease in which the normally clear lens of the eye becomes cloudy or opaque, causing a decrease in vision. The lens focuses light onto the back of the eye (the retina) so images appear clear and without distortion. The clouding of this lens during cataract formation distorts vision. Cataracts are usually a very gradual process of normal aging but can occasionally develop rapidly.  

Cataract surgery is the removal of the natural lens of the eye (also called "crystalline lens") that has developed an opacification, which is referred to as a cataract. During cataract surgery, a patient's cloudy natural lens is removed and replaced with a synthetic lens to restore the lens's transparency. A few decades ago, this was a big procedure, as there would incision and patients would be advised on many things including how to sleep and avoiding oil bath etc.,  now a days, cataract surgery does not even need hospitalization,  some enter the hospital, have the surgery performed and simply walk out ….it is done with laser, minimally invasive, small incision surgery – that has changed the way of cataract surgery.   

Here is an interesting story of a Lion undergoing surgery to have his lens replaced.  Daily Mail reports that a team of surgeons successfully removed the lens from a 330-pound male lion's eye. Joseph, a 17-year-old big cat, began squinting in May of this year and staff at Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, Florida knew they had to act fast.

After the lion was sedated with a dart gun the team worked to get the huge beast onto the operating table and begin the process of removing his lens. It had become luxated, or detached, which can be a regular problem for lions that are reaching their senior years. The team worked to get the huge beast onto the operating table and began the process of removing his lens. 

Joseph was sedated with a dart gun shot.  After being loaded into a crate and reaching the operating table a team of four vets got to work on the sedated animal. Carole Baskin, the CEO of Big Cat Rescue, said: 'I think this may be the first time that we've ever seen a Lion's lens being removed on camera - particularly so clearly. 'It took a lot of hard work to try and determine the cause of Joseph's problem and how to treat it. 'Along with the regular problems of sedating and operating on such a huge animal we also had to deal with the fact that Joseph was incredibly angry and was refusing to eat or drink.

Joseph, is a 17-year-old big cat, at  Tampa, Florida knew they had to act fast. Operating on a big cat is always extremely risky and  the fact that Joseph was agitated because of his condition made this even more dangerous.

The report states that after the operation - which was a complete success - Joseph was given fluids, long lasting antibiotic shots and steroids.  Joseph was rescued from a backyard zoo in Ohio in October 2007 - along with another lion and four tigers. He had been used as a tourist attraction for people who wanted to pet and have their photo taken with him.  Because of this he had most of teeth removed by the owner who eventually had her establishment closed down.

Joseph now lives in a half-acre enclosure with three other big cats and is recuperating from his operation by eating his favourite treat - ice cream.

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

8^th Oct 2015.