Oldest Septuplet Has Eye Surgery

The first-born of the McCaughey septuplets, nicknamed “Hercules” because he held up his brothers and sisters in the womb, had surgery to fix blood vessels in his right eye. Kenneth Robert McCaughey, who was also the first of the septuplets to leave the hospital, had the surgery Jan. 11 at University Hospitals in Iowa City, said his grandfather, Robert Hepworth. The baby was released from the hospital the following day. The operation will prevent Kenneth’s retinas from detaching as he grows, Hepworth said. If left untreated, the condition could cause blindness. The smallest-born of the McCaughey septuplets, Kelsey Ann, joined three of her brothers at home. Alexis May, Natalie Sue and Nathan Roy remain hospitalized in fair condition.