ISPUB.COM The Internet Journal of Ophthalmology and Visual Science Volume 7 Number 1 1 of 7 Emotional, Psychosocial And Economic Aspects Of Anophthalmos And Artificial Eye Use A Ayanniyi Citation A Ayanniyi. Emotional, Psychosocial And Economic Aspects Of Anophthalmos And Artificial Eye Use. The Internet Journal of Ophthalmology and Visual Science. 2008 Volume 7 Number 1. Abstract Aim: To report the emotional, psychosocial and economic aspects of anophthalmos and artificial eye use among patients who had destructive eye surgeries.Methods: A survey of 15 anophthalmic patients on artificial eye (AE) for demography, emotional, psychosocial and economic aspects. Results: Nine men and 6 women aged between 18 and 75 years were studied. Twelve patients (80%) had evisceration and 3 (20%) had enucleation. Seven patients (47%) regretted the removal of the eyes and use of AE, 2 (13%) were depressed, 12 (80%) affirmed that AE could not see, 4 (27%) reported that people could detect their AE use. Two patients (13%) reported that lost eyes affected their work, 3 (20%) felt that AE was expensive. All patients would recommend the use of AE. The patients level of education and gender have no influence on patients expressed regrets (p>0.5). Conclusion: There is the need for holistic care for anophthalmic patients using AE. INTRODUCTION The eye is such a vital organ that its loss evokes emotional and psychosocial responses in affected individuals and society, the cause of the loss notwithstanding.( 1 ) Absence of the eyeball, or anophthalmos, can be congenital or acquired. Destructive eye surgeries including evisceration and enucleation are common acquired causes of anophthalmos. Medically, an eye is only removed with specific indications, such as ocular tumours, severe ocular infection not amenable to other treatment, irreparably damaged globe and painful blind eye.( 2 , 3 , 4 ) Medically indicated eye removal is a procedure which both the eye surgeon and the patient may dread. Surgically removed eyes leave orbital defects (anophthalmic socket) with significant facial asymmetry and important cosmetic implications. The artificial eye and orbital implant (at present, a luxury in many resource limited communities) ameliorate this cosmetic embarrassment. An artificial eye or ocular prosthesis or glass eye does not provide vision, unlike a functional visual prosthesis or bionic eye (neural prosthesis that partially restore lost vision or amplify residual vision). It takes the shape of a convex shell and replaces an absent eye following destructive eye surgeries, such as evisceration or enucleation and it is of high cosmetic value. Usually, it is made of cryolite glass or medical grade plastic acrylic.(1) Over the years, eye care providers have been concerned with the rehabilitation of anophthalmic sockets/orbits simulating mirror image symmetry of the eye and lids. This practice appears to guarantee a return to normal appearance. The oculoplastic surgeons and ocularists (paramedical technician who fabricates and fits custom made artificial eyes) specialize in anophthalmic cosmesis.( 1 ) The human mind is complex and responsive to traumatic experiences, such, as the loss of vital organs. What are anophthalmic patients’ responses following destructive eye surgery and subsequent artificial eye use? Changes in emotions, mental and behavioral responses (psychological), relationships with society (social) and cost implications (economy) can adversely affect the lives of these patients. Despite the importance of emotional, psychosocial and economic challenges to the optimal management of the anophthalmos, it rarely attracts the attention of eye care providers.( 1 , 5 , 6 ) This report on the emotional, psychosocial and economic aspects of anophthalmos and the artificial eye use following destructive eye surgeries was an attempt to bridge this important gap. It is believed that this study will assist eye care providers in improving the management of these patients.