Phacoemulsification of bilateral cataracts in a loggerhead sea turtle ( <i>Caretta caretta</i> )

Abstract

An immature free-living loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) of unknown sex was found moribund off the coast of Wise Point, Virginia. It was suffering from cachexia and had bilateral hypermature cataracts which were treated by phacoemulsification under general anaesthesia. The surgery restored the turtle's vision and it was returned to the wild.