Phacoemulsification considerations in nonhuman primates

Abstract

Phacoemulsification in non-human primates is highly successful and associated with an overall good visual outcome. Nevertheless, specific considerations should be applied in these species.

Comparative Pathology of Aging Great Apes

“…Although most often age related, cataracts have been reported in young gorillas and orangutans 6 and 14 yo. 61,147,174 In other reports, zoo-housed apes with cataracts have included gorillas aged 37, 39, and 42 y and a chimpanzee aged 29 y. 61,147,150,174 Cataracts have also been identified in wild mountain gorillas in the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project database (Gorilla Doctors, L.J.L.…”

Bilateral cataract surgery with intraocular lens implant in a captive western lowland gorilla

“…The surgical procedure was the same for both animals and very similar to our own report, although they additionally closed the larger 3.2 mm corneal incisions with interrupted 9‐0 nylon sutures to protect against eye‐rubbing . In the report of cataract surgery in a gorilla by Leiva et al., as well as that of bilateral phacoemulsification in an orangutan by Montiani‐Ferreira et al., the corneal incisions were also sutured for this same reason. In our case, however, sutures were deliberately avoided to minimise irritation.…”

“…There have been very few clinical studies of phacoemulsification in non‐human primates . Indeed, there are just two previously published cases of phacoemulsification in western lowland gorillas . De Faber et al.…”

“…There have been very few clinical studies of phacoemulsification in non-human primates. [4][5][6][7] Indeed, there are just two previously published cases of phacoemulsification in western lowland gorillas. 4,6 De Faber et al described cataract surgery performed in two juvenile captive-born western lowland gorillas, which resulted in good visual outcomes.…”

“…[4][5][6][7] Indeed, there are just two previously published cases of phacoemulsification in western lowland gorillas. 4,6 De Faber et al described cataract surgery performed in two juvenile captive-born western lowland gorillas, which resulted in good visual outcomes. 4 The surgical procedure was the same for both animals and very similar to our own report, although they additionally closed the larger 3.2 mm corneal incisions with interrupted 9-0 nylon sutures to protect against eye-rubbing.…”