Stable Carer and Technician, Clare Lidell, with James after his operation
Horse's Sight Saved Following Cataract Operation

A horse suffering from cataracts is on his way to regaining full vision after a University vet carried out a rare operation to save his sight.

James, an Appaloosa horse, can now respond to movement and light following laser surgery carried out by Dr Derek Knottenbelt and his team at the University's Large Animal Hospital – Leahurst, on the Wirral.

The operation involved the removal of a cataract from the right eye, in which James was completely blind. In the future, he will also receive surgery to remove a cataract in his left eye, in which he has limited vision.

Dr Knottenbelt said: ”The procedure is a rare and difficult one. There are major risks involved, especially when the cataract is advanced and very solid. The procedure is routine in humans but is very problematical in horses in spite of the large size of the eye itself.

"The procedure took around 40 minutes and involved the removal of the lens with ultrasound disruption of the lens material. James' cataract was so solid that conventional methods for human lens removal were not possible and so the eye itself was opened and the solid portion removed directly.
Stable Carer and Technician, Clare Lidell, with James after his operation

"We are grateful to Dr David Wong from the University's Ophthalmology Research Unit for his help with the surgery.”

He added: "Surgeons across the UK and Europe are now performing this surgery. We are trying to develop ways of increasing the chances of a successful outcome and the restoration of sight. We are determined to improve the outlook for horses that would otherwise be condemned.”

James was referred to Dr Knottenbelt after he refused to jump a fence in a cross-country event. Dr Knottenbelt diagnosed progressively-forming cataracts which meant James' lenses had thickened and clouded over. If left untreated, the horse would have gone completely blind, putting himself and his riders at risk.

James was transported from Hull for the surgery and is due to return home today (Thursday) to recuperate. He will return to Leahurst in the near future so that Dr Knottenbelt can operate on his left eye.

Dr Knottenbelt added: "The prognosis for James remains very guarded but we will do all in our power to help him – he is a lovely horse and a model patient.”

The horse's owner, Tony Sumpton, said he was pleased with the outcome; "I am extremely grateful to Dr Knottenbelt.

"James is showing good signs of recovery and we hope the operation on his left eye will be an equal success.”

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