German Technology Saves Animals From Blindness

Germany is full of unique technical innovations and medical specialists dedicated to improving life. You already see this with German health care, which is some of the best in the world. Now, there is a new innovation for animals.

In this case, a small German start up company has decided to make life better for animals going blind.

Their solution?

Implantable contact lenses!

It’s an interesting solution to a formerly unsolvable problem. After all, animals can’t wear glasses, and it would be difficult for owners or zoo keepers to realistically put contacts in and out of their eyes each day. Yet because animals have a short life span, losing their vision for even part of their life can be a real disability and reduce their quality of life dramatically. Blind animals in zoos really struggle, and blind pets are heartbreaking for families.

Into this sad situation stepped S & V Technologies, which is based out of the industrial town of Hennigsdorf. It’s one of five companies founded by Bavarian chemist Christine Kreiner, although it is her first in East Germany. This one has already made 2.5 million euros since opening in 2008!

The contact lenses made by the company are acrylic intra-ocular lenses. They are customized to the size and shape of each animal that will wear them. The lenses are then implanted by specially trained veterinarians while the animals are under anesthesia, and recovery times are short.

For the company, the biggest challenge hasn’t been the animals but actually the veterinarians! There is a real shortage of veterinarians who can implant the lenses, and demand is high. Even though the surgery can cost thousands of euros, many families and zoos feel it is worth the cost.

Since the lenses first became available, customers from around the globe have been after them. The lenses have gone into every kind of animal from a performing sea lion at Sea World to kangaroos to treasured family pets.

The company, which now employs 32 people, plans to keep expanding and offer more classes to veterinarians so that more animals can be helped.