| Purpose: we reported a case of phacoemulsification of bilateral congenital cataracts of a 3-mo-old Panthera tigris altaica.
Method: the surgery was performed under general anesthesia. The techniques of capsular staining and continuous curvilinear capsulorrhexis were used. Bilateral developmental defects of posterior capsules were found during the operation. Intraocular lenses were not implanted. The tiger recovered soon without ocular complications such as inflammation, bleeding and increase of intraocular pressure. The visual acuity was rehabilitated well enough to see objects from 5 m away 1 mo postoperatively.
Result: the results suggest that phacoemulsification of cataract under general anesthesia for a 3-mo-old tiger is safe, effective and advisable. To authors’ knowledge, it was the first time that phacoemulsification was applied to extraction of cataract of a Panthera tigris altaica. |
