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The Great Orangutan Project made it possible for the world's first cataract operation on an adult orangutan yesterday. With funding for the operation coming from the Orangutan Appeal UK, and lengthy preparation from Keith Lloyd and Caroline Bellhouse and other GOP team members, Aman was operated on by two world-class experts.
It was a tense time but incredibly awe inspiring. At first Aman was moving about as Dr Stegmann was trying to insert a line into Aman's arm to give him steady dosage of drugs, That freaked people out somewhat as a large male orangutan started to wake up surrounded by the operating team and the press core, but they soon got him to sleep and then Dr Izak started the operation itself.  Ultrasound was used to disperse the cataract. The lens is like a jelly covering and crystals can start forming onto it. As they coalesce, they form into one continuous layer we know as a cataract. All it takes is sound waves to move the crystals off the lens and into the fluid of the eye. The fluid is then sucked out and new clear fluid injected. This is what happened for Aman and he is now recovering well. We will know whether he will see very shortly and keep you updated. Labels: aman, cataract, Matang and local community education, matang wildlife centre, orang utan, orang-utan, orangutan diary |
posted by Guillaume @ 9:39 AM
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Previous Posts
- March in Matang Wildlife Centre
- The Future for Gus
- Gus' Life
- Baby rescued from pet trade
- Enrichment
- Busy Weekend - it's not all orangutans
- Happy New Year 2007! What's new at Matang Wildlife...
- Volunteers and Education, Education, Education
- Croctastic Times in Matang - don't try this at home!
- December 2006 - Orangutans and Kinda Rehabilitation
6 Comments:
At 3:30 AM,
Yvonne said…
What fantastic news - I read about the operation in the paper on my way to work this morning - it made my day.I saw Aman when I visited the centre for two hours last September - a gentle giant - who loves his bananas. I hope this will be start of a whole new exciting future for Aman - he deserves it. Well done to everyone at the centre and the Vets for all their hard work.
At 12:28 PM,
Anonymous said…
glad to read the news of the successful of the eye operation. worth the endless efforts to bring back Aman's vision. congrats to all the volunteers, workers, donors and doc too!
At 6:47 PM,
Anonymous said…
I read about the operation on a Sunday paper and I was so excited about the technology. My seventy year old dad had an eye operation in the last month and and gained lots of eyesight. He is absolutely in second heaven. We have a labrador dog and he is 8 years old. Two years ago he started becoming blue in the eyes and his eye condition degraded rapidly. He is now 95% blind ( white / blue ) and walks into everything in his way. The other day he " stepped "( fell) into our swimming pool. Luckily we were at home. My plea is where can we take this poor dog to have his eyes fixed, if not too late. We are willing to take the chance for him. Maybe he will be able to see me, my wife or our youngest baby daughter whom he adores so much again !
Can somebody please help me with an e-mail address or contact numbers to get hold of Dr. Stegmann or Dr. Venter ?
Regards
Hannes
Cape Town
At 6:37 PM,
Guillaume said…
Dear Hannes, email me at guillaume@wayoutexperiences.com and I will put you in touch with Dr Venter who routinely carries out dog and cat cataract surgery at the Johannesburg Animal Hospital. All the best for you and your labrador! Guillaume
At 2:50 AM,
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At 6:27 PM,
Anonymous said…
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