More than meets the eye

Successful cataract surgery on Jurong Bird Park’s geriatric penguins in 2023 helped them enhance their sight and improve their quality of life. This was hailed as a milestone in veterinary medicine.

Meet the Veterinary Ophthalmologist behind this medical miracle – Dr Gladys Boo (Biomedical Science, 2006), one of only three individuals in Southeast Asia certified by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, a renowned vet institution. She has restored sight to not only domestic pets; her other patients have also included a lion cub, seals, an elephant, a frog and even a lizard!

Dr Boo (2006) has been drawn to animals for as long as she can remember. This early fascination eventually led her to pursue her undergraduate degree at the Faculty of Science. She eventually found her calling in veterinary ophthalmology during her postgraduate studies.

She has special interests in corneal transplantation surgery, cataract surgery and exotic animal ophthalmology. Aside from clinical work, she enjoys pushing the boundaries of veterinary ophthalmology to find new treatments. For instance, she has adapted a human surgical technique for partial dog cornea transplant, inventing a medical device to replace the damaged part of the cornea. Her technique is still being used worldwide.

She began practising ophthalmology in Australia in 2014 and moved back to Singapore in 2021 to start her own practice. At her clinic, she constantly battles critical eye emergencies including ruptured eye lens and ruptured eyeballs.  

But for her, the blood, sweat and tears are worth it.

She says, “When I see the pets regain sight and reunite with their carer, the joy on their faces says it all. It really melts my heart, and it is not a feeling that can be replicated.”