RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — For nearly 10 years, Boo the umbrella cockatoo has not been able to see clearly. He hasn’t even been able to see his new owner, Amy Hurst, who adopted him from his previous owner earlier this year.
Now, however, thanks to exotic animal veterinarians and ophthalmologists at NC State’s Veterinary Hospital, Boo — who lives in Virginia and works as a therapy animal for children with autism as well as the elderly — has sight restored in his right eye.
According to NC State, Boo underwent what’s called a phacoemulsification surgery to remove a cataract from that eye in mid-March.
Veterinary ophthalmology resident Dr. Nicole Himebaugh examines Boo’s right eye with a handheld slit lamp during a recheck appointment in March. (John Joyner/NC State College of Veterinary Medicine) 
Dr. Amanda Day, an NC State clinical intern in zoological and exotic animal medicine, examines Boo during a recent recheck while registered veterinary technician Meagan Smith holds him. (John Joyner/NC State College of Veterinary Medicine) 
Members of Boo’s care team celebrate with him after a recheck appointment. Dr. Amanda Day holds a poster made for Boo by children he has helped through animal-assisted therapy, and Boo appears excited to see its bright colors. (John Joyner/NC State College of Veterinary Medicine)
“The surgery involves using specialized ultrasound equipment to break up clumps of protein that cloud the eye’s lens, and then a trained ophthalmologist gently suctions these pieces out of the eye using a handheld tool specifically designed for the procedure,” NC State said in a news release.
The school said avian eye surgery is not common, and Boo’s successful treatment was the result of teamwork between ophthalmologists as well as veterinarians and vet techs in NC State’s exotic animal medical service.
But it would have never happened, said Dr. Amanda Day, an NC State clinical intern in zoological and exotic animal medicine, without Hurst, who did thorough research on specialized avian treatment before entrusting Boo’s care to the team in Raleigh.
“[Hurst is] a fantastic owner who was willing to advocate for him and try to get him the best quality of life possible,” Dr. Day told NewsNation affiliate WNCN.
NC State said Boo passed his post-operation checks “with flying colors,” and Hurst told the school they’re looking forward to getting him back to the therapy work the “once-in-a-lifetime” bird loves so much.