A disfigured and non- functional eye affects facial appearance and can undermine self-confidence. This can be caused due to severe corneal or retinal disorders, injury to the eye, multiple failed operations or end-stage chronic disease, such as glaucoma. Rarely, tumors inside the eye or around the eye also require removal of the eye for cure.
Assessment of the blind eye involves clinical examination of the eye, tests such as ultrasonography or MRI scan, if needed. Additional injuries, if present, need to be assessed.
The treatment of this condition depends on the status of the eye and the cause for removal of the eyeball. In cases, where the eyeball is blind and completely shrunken, an artificial eye can de directly placed over the eyeball. This avoids surgery and can improve cosmesis. However, this is not a suitable approach for all patients.
In other cases, evisceration or enucleation surgery (removal of the eyeball) is required. This involves placing a spherical implant in the orbit to compensate for the volume of the removed eyeball. This is followed by placement of an artificial eye in the socket to match the appearance of the other eye. Sometimes, in cases with advanced cancers or life-threatening infections, such as mucormycosis, removal of the eyeball can be accompanied by removal of surrounding tissues (exenteration surgery). The rehabilitation of these surgeries requires oculo-facial prosthetics.
Oculoplastic surgeons are specialized to treat these conditions and can help you achieve the best possible symmetry between both eyes with the help of ocularists, who are trained to design and fit artificial eyes and oculofacial prosthetics.
Contact our team to know more about scheduling a consultation for artificial eye.
Vaikunth Eye Clinic 528, 5th Floor, Gala Empire, Drive In Rd, opp. Doordarshan Metro Station, Nilmani Society, Thaltej, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380059
