Jonty the donkey who was temporarily blinded in a freak accident is given special SUNGLASSES

A donkey blinded in a freak accident is being nursed back to health with special sunglasses.

Jonty was rushed to a specialist donkey hospital after stepping on a thorn.

The barb was removed but the stress from the operation triggered a chronic eye problem.

Now in an effort to restore his sight Jonty has to wear specially-made sunglasses which protect his eyes from UV rays. 

The thorn was removed but the stress from the operation triggered a chronic eye problem

Jonty was treated by expert staff at the animal hospital in Sidmouth, Devon, ran by The Donkey Sanctuary.

Veterinary Surgeon Vicky Grove said: ‘The stress of the injury and coming into hospital possibly triggered the recurrence of a chronic eye problem.

‘Jonty suffered an immune-mediated inflammation of his whole eye. He had ulcers on his cornea, his eyes were running, and it was really painful – he lost his sight.’ 

Now in an effort to restore his sight Jonty has to wear specially-made sunglasses which protect his eyes from UV rays. Jonty was treated by expert staff at the animal hospital in Sidmouth, Devon, ran by The Donkey Sanctuary (pictured with veterinary groom Charlie Peacock from The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth, Devon)

After enjoying some respite he will be transported to nearby Slade House Farm, The Donkey Sanctuary’s main visitor site

Jonty still had some sight left and staff at the hospital gave him the glasses to help his eyes recover.

Vicky continued: ‘The mask is just like wearing sunglasses, and Jonty has made some good progress, though the back of his eye is still damaged.

‘We are monitoring his eyes with an ophthalmoscope, and we have tested his eyesight with an obstacle course, which he has completed so we think he is now just partially-sighted.’

Donkeys often form strong bonds with a friend, but Jonty prefers his own company and is taking his time to recover alone at the charity’s Donkey Hospital.

After enjoying some respite he will be transported to nearby Slade House Farm, The Donkey Sanctuary’s main visitor site.

There he will join a small group including another partially-sighted male called Will.

Jonty will be wearing the glasses for much of the summer while he recovers, and the sanctuary’s expert vets will be keeping a close eye on his progress.