ADVANCES IN EYE SURGERY

The loss of an eye can be traumatic especially because of the disfigurement it causes. Look at the advances in eye surgery.


MR. Mahesh ., 34 years, lost his right eye following an injury 10 years ago. His eye was now blind, painful and disfigured. He was forced to resign his job in a hotel, as his red, watering eye was beginning to attract attention of his clients.

Mr. M. had become more introverted and painfully conscious of his appearance. All his efforts to secure a new job were unsuccessful since his applications were turned down just by looking at his photograph. He was in a state of intense depression and had given up all hope.

Traumatic loss

Stories such as these are not uncommon as the loss of one's eye can be devastating and can cause enormous distress to the affected person. The eye is lost following trauma secondary to sports injuries, chemical injuries (acid/ alkali), debilitating eye disease or occupational hazards.

Following the injury, initially efforts are made to save the eye, but if the injury is severe, the eye cannot be saved and it becomes small and shrunken in appearance (pthisical). Also sometimes due to an increase in the intraocular pressure and weakening of the walls, the eye can become large, disfigured and painful. This causes it to look abnormal and affects the person's facial appearance. This causes intense emotional distress, affects the person's personality and interferes with personal and professional life.

Now with advances in cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries, a lot can be done to improve the appearance. This involves three stages:

# Removal of whole (enucleation) or part (Evisceration) of the disfigured eye.

# Placement of a spherical artificial implant inside the socket.

# Fitting of an artificial eye (Prothesis) one to one and half months later once the wound has healed completely.

Advances

In the past, multiple implants were tried from glass to acrylic. In recent years, advances have been made in the development of newer implants, which has led to the introduction of porous implants. These have tiny pores in them, which allow the blood vessels to grow into them, thus firmly anchoring them in their place. The risk of these implants coming out (expulsion) is much less and also the post-operative movements of the artificial eye are much better. With these advances in treatment, people can seek treatment early and lead happy, confident and productive lives.

Loss of an eye may also result from severe infection, injury or cancer and cause permanent disfigurement with physical and psychological consequences. Various interventions tailored to the individual patient like prosthesis fitting with or without socket surgery, more or less, restores normal appearance to help them lead socially acceptable lives.

Mr. M. underwent Evisceration with implant insertion and has been fitted with an artificial eye. He is back to work with a leading hotel and people do not know that his left eye is artificial unless he tells them. For him it is his second innings of life.