A filefish from the Tropical Reef Aquarium recently traveled offsite with the zoo’s veterinary team for a lensectomy, a delicate surgery to remove the lens from its left eye. While lensectomies have been performed on fish before, it’s not commonly done, and this marks the first time that such a procedure has been carried out for an aquarium resident at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.

The surgery was performed in collaboration with Dr. Nathan Kice, DVM, DACVO, at Rainier Animal Eye LLC., a specialist in veterinary ophthalmology. The filefish was carefully transported to Dr. Kice’s clinic in University Place, where the procedure was completed successfully and without complications.

The decision to operate came after the zoo’s veterinary team discovered a cataract in the fish’s left eye. The cataract was making it difficult for the animal to locate food on that side. By removing the lens, the team hopes to improve the filefish’s quality of life and ensure it can continue to thrive.

“The progress in aquatic medicine is exciting,” said Dr. Karen Wolf, the zoo’s head veterinarian. “Procedures like this allow us to provide a level of care that was once thought impossible for fish.”

Following the surgery, the removed lens was submitted for histopathology, a detailed microscopic analysis that will help veterinarians better understand the cause of the cataract. Meanwhile, the filefish is recovering comfortably in a behind-the-scenes habitat, where it will remain under close observation while its eye continues to heal.

This procedure highlights the dedication of the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium veterinary and animal care team to provide the very best care for every creature—finned, feathered, or furry.