Children face a number of different challenges when they have an eye removed.
These can range from embarrassment about their appearance or protest when someone tries to clean their special eye, to extreme fear, shame and non-compliance.
These are all natural responses.
To reduce fear and anxiety, children need to be able to participate in their experiences. There are many ways you can support and empower your child to live well with their special eye, both in public and at the ocularist’s office or hospital.
When an eye is removed, the socket must heal before a new artificial eye can be fitted 4-10 weeks later. There are many ways you can support your child through surgery and initial healing.
Children often have great anxiety that making the eye will hurt. There are many ways you can help your child through the experience.
A step-by-step explanation of how an eye is made, and how it will feel to your child. Use this to help prepare your child for the experience.
Artificial eyes need to be removed for cleaning, polishing, examining the eye socket and to make a new eye. Learning how to handle the eye, and feeling comfortable with the process, is important for children and parents.
Some young children learn quickly how to remove their eye, and Keeping it in place can be a challenge for parents and carers. Simple strategies can help overcome this challenge.
The Young Child Living With a Special Eye
Young children need to feel they are active participants in the care of their special eye. You can help your child develop strategies to cope with the experience.
The Older Child Living With a Special Eye
Older children need to support to develop and protect their confidence and self esteem when living with a special eye. There are many ways to help your child cope and thrive.
Children need special support to help them cope when they do not have a special eye – either because the socket is healing after surgery or from infection, or because no eye is available.