Ernest the cat has had his sight restored by contact lenses in what is believed to be a medical first.

The 15-year-old black and white moggy was suffering from entropion, which meant his lids turned inwards and scratched his eyeball.

Vets suggested the innovative solution because the cat was too old to risk a general anasthetic.

Staff at the Godshill RSPCA on the Isle of Wight – Ernest’s home of 13 years – said they had never heard of a cat wearing contact lenses before.

"He’s much more comfortable. Previously his eyes were shut, now they are open," branch administrator Les Burrows told Sky News Online.

"We always used Ernest to test new dogs brought into us to see if they were scared of cats because he was never fazed.

"He is much more wary of the dogs now because he can actually see them," Mr Burrows added.

Ernest will continue to live at the RSPCA because he is a permanent and popular fixture on the reception desk, he added.

The lenses will be removed and cleaned by staff every three weeks.

Via news.sky.com