Simon Thomsett

Conservation of raptors

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Rosy’s trip to the eye hospital

Category: Cataract Operation for Rosy, Crowned Eagles | Date: Aug 13 2008 | By: simonthomsett

Rosy’s Cataract Operation - Chapter 4

This morning, I left the house with Rosy at 7.30AM and arrived at the Kikuyu Eye Hospital at 11.50AM. It is a distance of only 65 Km took over 4hrs. The street hawkers enquired how he was, having remembered him from last week. I made a wise choice in not sedating him with valium as he could easily have died of heat stroke had he not been able to stand and pant.

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Kikuyu Eye Hospital is one of the busiest units in Africa. Dr Nonee Magre met us in the car park and we were shown round the back where we met Dr Tony Walia. We anaesthetized Rosy, using about 1/3rd the recommended dose which put him under sufficient for two instruments to be placed on his eyeball by he and his team.

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Nonee Magre

The first is termed a kerato-metre, its task is to measure the curvature of the cornea. It was working fine, but it could not get data on so large an eye. The other instrument looked like a laser pointer used at lectures, but for it having a huge machine attached to it. It measured the diopter size, the depth of the lens and the diameter. One eye was 10.5mm and the other was 12mm. Twice the size of a human’s. Dr Walia showed us a human lens (it cost $4!). It has two curled spines that keep the lens in the exact place.

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I opted to drive home while Rosy was still groggy. He lay near the gear stick and every now and then I was able to check on his breathing. The dosage rates suggested by literature are about two to four times more than is necessary. Fortunately we were conservative and his recovery was slow but sure. In the late afternoon I sat with him till he got better. He spent the evening in my room.

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Back Home

Now comes the hard part. These measurements must be sent to USA to have the lens made. In the next few days, Dr Nonee and I will try to pin down the companies and get this complete. It hasn’t been easy so far, so wish us luck.

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14 Responses to “Rosy’s trip to the eye hospital”

sheryl, washington dc, on 13 Aug 2008

I’m glad Rosy recovered well from the procedure. There must be a company here that can make such lenses and that would welcome the challenge and the opportunity for new business.

Thanks for keeping us posted on Rosy’s progress.

s.

Ann, on 13 Aug 2008

this is certainly one of the most interesting saga’s on wildlifedirect these days.
wonderful work you are doing. thanks for the posts.

Paula, on 14 Aug 2008

Simon and Laila, perhaps one of your readers can help you to find a company that can manufacture this lens?

laila bahaa-el-din, on 14 Aug 2008

Yes, very good point Paula. If anyone knows of a company that may be able to manufacture lenses for Rosy, please let us know. The faster we find one, the faster Rosy can get his sight back. You can email us at raptorexpedition@gmail.com. Thanks.

Dana-Phoenix Arizona, on 14 Aug 2008

I have a call into the Surgical Division of Baush & Lomb eye division here in the United States to see if they may be able to help. Fingers and toes crossed.

Dana-Phoenix Arizona, on 14 Aug 2008

Okay - just got a call from their New York office and a gentleman from their Clearwater, Florida office will be calling me.

laila bahaa-el-din, on 14 Aug 2008

Great. Thank you Dana. Fingers crossed.

Dana-Phoenix Arizona, on 14 Aug 2008

Laila - I have sent you an email from my work address. Dana

Annie, on 14 Aug 2008

Great news…I will pray for his quick recovery! what a sweet bird he is!

TheTeach, Seattle, on 15 Aug 2008

Simon, your determination and commitment to your raptor comrade, Rosy, is an inspiration to us all. I’m sure it was a very unsettling experience for you to sit by as your sedated, taloned companion underwent this delicate procedure. I wish you and Rosy both very well, and I am adding your blog to my regulars. In more recent years I have focused much more attention on and developed a sincere appreciation for all birds of prey. Their natural design is truly remarkable, visually stunning, both handsomely majestic and so practically stealthy, yet incredibly nurturing of their young. I wish people would take more time to notice the impressive creatures around us. Perhaps then, they would develop a deeper appreciation, awe, and respect for the animals; something you have clearly devoted much of your life to. Very best of luck on this and keep soaring! -TheTeach

Paula, on 15 Aug 2008

Simon and Laila, according to your stats, you have raised $1,120 plus I’m making a local donation of $ 300 towards Rosy. How much more do you need? Please let us know so that we can put out the appeal more strongly!

Dana-Phoenix Arizona, on 15 Aug 2008

I sent a check to WD Washington DC office in the amount of $200.00, but it hasn’t been cashed yet. Hope you get it soon :>)

Simon, on 15 Aug 2008

I am amazed at how many people have responded to Rosy’s eye appeal. I am very grateful, esp to Laila, Sherly and Paula who, despite being at a great distance have reached out and made contact with so many people with the use of this “blog”.
Rosy is doing Ok having suffered some bruising to his eyes that made him refuse to eat for two days. I just returned from Nairobi with a very sick Barn Owl. I also may have news Re: Lenses. I guess I had better put this in the blog.

Gavin Desouza, on 20 Aug 2008

Its nice to know that Rosy is doing better, I Hope he gets well soon Good luck to you all…Gavin

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