The outcome of ocular prosthetic (artificial eye) reconstruction

Abstract

Eye loss has been a feature of mankind’s existence down through the ages, and whilst significant amounts of research have been undertaken to discuss monocular vision at an ophthalmic and optometric level, little or no research has been undertaken to discuss the benefits or otherwise of prosthetic reconstruction of the empty palprebal fissure. Most of this has been left at an artistic or anecdotal level. To the author’s knowledge, no research of this kind has been undertaken within Australia, and little or no research has been undertaken, to this extent, around the world. The overall aim of this research is to define the optimum benefit with the minimum risk for the different types of eye loss and ocular replacement. This thesis attempts to research and document the reasons for eye loss and some of the more prevalent issues that arise as a result of wearing an artificial eye, whether they be negative or positive. A questionnaire was developed, to research and quantify various experiences of individual artificial eye wearers; their reasons for eye loss, the role the prosthetic eye played in their life, both prosthetically, socially and psychologically. Every attempt has been made to accurately represent the responses based upon feelings of a number of patients over a number of years. The point of commonality in this study is that all patients have had their artificial eyes made by a single ocular prosthetist. It was found that eye loss was indiscriminate as to gender, age or ethnicity. The results showed that more people lost their right eye than those who lost their left, and over 50 age bracket lost their eye through disease more commonly. It was also hypothesized and confirmed that smokers lost their eye due to disease related issues more often than non-smokers. Prosthetic rehabilitation dramatically increased patients’ sense of wellbeing, emotionally, psychologically and socially. It is concluded that more than just being a cosmetic solution to what is otherwise a medical problem that an ocular prosthesis plays a more important, and vital, psychological role to those suffering eye loss.