Unilateral phacoemulsification in a captive African elephant (Loxodonta africana)

Abstract

Background: The following case reports describes the clinical presentation, surgical protocol, post-operative care and long-term follow up of an African elephant (Loxodonta Africana) presenting with a unilateral cataract. Case description: A 42-year-old female African elephant presented for assessment of ocular discomfort and visual deterioration in the left eye. Pre-surgical treatment included topical anti-inflammatory medication for twenty days prior to surgery. On the day of surgery, following anaesthetic induction, a two-handed phacoemulsification technique was performed in the left eye. She was left aphakic post-operatively. Nine days post-operatively the patient had an intact menace response, dazzle reflex and direct pupillary light reflex. Fundoscopy at that stage was unremarkable. Follow up information was available for 5 years, from the time of surgery to the present day. Conclusion: Despite remaining aphakic, this case presents a successful visual outcome. To the author’s knowledge, there is no other published report of phacoemulsification in a captive elephant.

Keywords

• african elephant
• cataract
• loxodonta africana
• phacoemulsification