Philippe

Left orbital prosthesis, attached using 3 magnets

“I lost my left eye in 1963 at the age of 13 months. A tumour on the optic nerve urgently required its enucleation. Radiotherapy sessions followed on from the operation to avoid any recurrence. As I grew up, my orbital cavity deformity became more and more obvious, and the ocular prosthesis I was wearing didn’t come up to my expectations. My school days, teenage years and relationships with girls were fraught with difficulties psychologically speaking. I lived through moments of despair and solitude, but fortunately my family and friends were there to support me.

Later on in my working life, I was confronted with obstacles linked to my appearance. I wore dark glasses so that I wouldn’t shock people - but also to protect myself from people staring at me and making me feel uncomfortable. I was told that when the prosthesis could no longer stay in the orbital cavity, reconstructive surgery would be an option, but there would be complications linked with my radiotherapy treatment.

2013 was crunch time. This was when the ocularist, Mr. Bornert, informed me that there was an alternative to surgery: anaplastology. I immediately contacted the anaplastologist, Anne-Marie Riedinger, for a consultation and after our pleasant appointment and her clear, precise explanations, my mind was made up. In September, Dr Hémar, ENT specialist in Strasbourg, fitted implants and after 3 months of healing, for Christmas, Anne-Marie gave me the most wonderful gift of all. She gave me my face back and a new life, 50 years after the initial event.

People look at me differently and I consider them differently too. I am finally liberated in my head, free to do my everyday activities, liberated in my relations with friends and my love life. The epithesis has completely changed my life. I have been cared for and monitored by people whose professionalism is extraordinary and whose kindness knows no limits. And you can see the result! Thank you for this physical and psychological transformation and the wonderful times I’ve had.”