Hogle Zoo monkey has cataract surgery

A Hogle Zoo howler monkey named Eli is recovering from a cataract surgery performed Monday morning.

The surgery was performed by veterinary eye-care specialist Nicole MacLaren of Eye Care for Animals, said zoo spokeswoman Holly Braithwaite. MacLaren has performed the surgery on many cats and dogs, but this was her first primate surgery.

Eli's keepers noticed he was having problems when his eyes began to glaze over, just as human eyes glaze over when they have cataracts, Braithwaite said

Eli's new lenses and other eyecare necessities, such as eye drops, were donated by Alcon Surgical.

Eli is 10 years old. Howler monkeys can live up to 30 years in captivity.

During the surgery, a small intraocular lens was injected into Eli's eye, which was then sutured shut to keep the monkey from scratching, Braithwaite said. Eli likely will be on antibiotics and anti-inflammatory mediation for the next week.

Eli has been returned to the zoo, where he lives with three other howler monkeys. The primates are native to the South American countries of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina.