08/18/2026
Restoring Vision for Tonie 🦭👁️
Veterinary medicine is truly a team sport.
Dr. Erica Tolar with Bluegrass Veterinary Vision and Dr. Carmen Colitz with Aquatic Animal Eye Care had the privilege of joining an incredible team at the Louisville Zoo to help restore vision in Tonie, a harbor seal with a cataract and lens luxation. Left untreated, her condition would likely have progressed to painful glaucoma and permanent blindness.
Working together, we performed cataract surgery to remove the luxated lens and give Tonie the opportunity to see comfortably again.
Cases like this only happen because of the dedication and expertise of so many people. A heartfelt thank you to the amazing Glacier Run keeper staff for their outstanding care before, during, and after surgery, and to my colleagues; Dr. Zoli Gyimesi, Dr. Erica Lipanovich and Dr. James Bailey.
It was an honor to work alongside each of them on this remarkable case.
Seeing Tonie recover and regain her vision is a wonderful reminder of what collaboration can accomplish. Every successful outcome is the result of countless hours of planning, specialized care, and teamwork. Seeing her go back into the water for the first time after an intense post operative medication period is so rewarding.
Thank you to everyone who made this possible. We can't wait to watch Tonie enjoy the world with clear vision again.
