PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Two male snow leopard cubs at the Philadelphia Zoo have undergone surgery to correct eyelid abnormalities, zoo officials said.
The male cubs, Kimti and Dian, were born with the center of each upper eyelid missing, allowing the eyes to become irritated.
The condition known as coloboma is seen in humans and animals including domestic short-haired cats, Florida panthers and snow leopards, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported Thursday.
If doctors didn't operate, Zoo veterinarian Keith Hinshaw said, the rare cats' eyes would remain sensitive and susceptible to infection.
"The surgery went perfectly," University of Pennsylvania veterinary ophthalmologist Andras M. Komaromy said. "But we know this is not the end yet."
Zoo staff said they would be carefully monitoring the cubs to ensure a successful recovery from the Tuesday surgeries.
On Wednesday Kimti and Dian were squinting a bit, as expected, but were eating well and appeared happy, zoo officials said.
Snow Leopard Cubs Get Eye Surgery
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