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BENJI'S EYE SURGERY CANCELED

Doctor says risks outweigh potential benefits

 

 

CHICAGO, September 14, 2004 - Benji, the canine starlet who lights up the screen in the recently released feature film Benji Off the Leash distributed by Mulberry Square Productions, will not undergo a third eye surgery as originally scheduled.

              

The beloved, three-year-old mutt traveled to a Chicago area veterinary clinic so doctors could remove a filmy membrane that developed since her retinal reattachment surgery performed here on August 3.    After an examination this morning, though, Dr. Sam Vainisi has advised against the procedure.

 

              ?Benji's condition is incrementally better and the membrane has improved somewhat,? said Dr. Vainisi, the Chicago area veterinary ophthalmologist who performed the initial retina surgery in August.   ?From what I can see of the retina, it is sitting in place and the inflammation continues to recede.   However, the lens capsule is so thin, that to remove that membrane could potentially compromise the lens which holds back the silicon fluid in the eye.?

 

This surgery would have been Benji's third since June of this year.   She initially had cataracts removed in late June while traveling in Atlanta.   The rapid onset of those cataracts led to a detached retina prompting the second surgery, which was performed last month by Dr. Vainisi.   Benji had significant complications from the surgery, which are still hindering her and have prevented her from regaining her sight in that left eye.

 

?We are told that the prognosis for Benji getting her sight back is not terrific, ? producer Joe Camp said.   ?But, she may get to the point where she can distinguish light and dark and see shadows.   We will continue to monitor the situation over the next few months.   Right now, it is simply not worth putting her at risk with the surgery when the chances for complications and further damage are greater than what she could potentially gain.?

                           

Benji's big brown eyes have been the trademark of one of the most cherished characters in movie history. The new Benji was adopted from a shelter in Gulfport, Miss., after a search in shelters all across the nation. The original Benji was from a shelter and caused over a million adoptions according to the American Humane.

 

For more information on Benji Off the Leash visit www.Benji.com