Modified Evisceration in a Blue-Fronted Amazon (Amazona aestiva) as AN Ocular Treatment Option in Parrots

A 39-year-old blue-fronted Amazon parrot (Amazona aestiva) was presented with a traumatic corneal perforation (2 mm × 0.1 mm) with gelatinous material protruding from the defect and a severely edematous moderately vascularized cornea. A surgical repair of the perforation was attempted but was unsuccessful. Following the surgical effort, an evisceration was performed. The evisceration technique used for the parrot was originally described in raptor species; however, modifications were required for the smaller-eyed patient. After executing a lateral canthotomy, a stab incision into the cornea was made at the limbus and a full-thickness 360° keratectomy was performed. This was followed by stepwise removal of uvea, lens, vitreous body, conjunctiva, nictitating membrane, and eyelids. Absorbable hemostatic gelatin sponge and cold fluids were used to reduce hemorrhage. Periorbital subcutaneous tissues and skin were closed with continuous and simple interrupted sutures, respectively. Antibiotic, antimycotic, and analgesic treatments were administered to the parrot for 2 weeks following the surgical procedure. Over a follow-up period of 12 months, the bird was in good general condition and achieved a satisfactory cosmetic result over the orbit from which the eye was removed. Alterations in normal behaviors such as flying, preening, feeding, and social interactions were not observed. Therefore, the authors conclude that this modified evisceration technique is a faster and less invasive surgical technique with reduced manipulation of the optic nerve and has a lower risk of orbital bone fracture and hemorrhage compared to previously reported enucleation procedures for parrot species. This modified ocular evisceration technique is a treatment option for inoperable ocular trauma in psittacine cases deemed appropriate.