Michael J. Hawes, M. D., F.A.C.S.     |   home Excessive Tearing   |   Thyroid Related Eye Disease   |   Orbital Tumors   |   Lid turned in or out   |   Blepharoptosis or droopy eyelid   |   Skin Cancers   |   Loss of an Eye   |   Fractures   |   Trauma   |   Birth Defects   |   Blepharospasm Loss of an Eye Trauma, disease, or cancer may require removal of an eye.  The psychological injury to the patient from such a loss can be much worse than the physical disability.  See this link for helpful information on many issues related to the loss of an eye. Surgery to remove an eye includes the options of enucleation (removal of the entire eye) and evisceration (removal of the eye contents with preservation of the outer white portion). Dr. Hawes is now performing more eviscerations than enucleations when possible, as the evisceration surgery often gives a better cosmetic result. Removal of an eye is usually done under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis. An implant is placed in the eye socket at the surgery, typically with the eye muscles attached to it. This is important in preserving movement. About 6 weeks after the surgery, an ocular prosthesis is fit by an ocularist, who works  closely with Dr. Hawes to get the prosthesis looking and moving like a real eye.  Most often, Walter Johnson is the ocularist for Dr. Hawes' patients. Walter has the skills of an artist, is a fine craftsman, and is nationally known for his work. He can be reached at 303-649-9494. There have been many advances in implants and prostheses over the last twenty years. The new motility implants allow for blood vessels to grow into the implant and offer the potential for placing a motility peg.  While it usually does improve fine movements of the prosthesis, a peg is not essential  in most cases and sometimes a peg can cause additional problems. Dr. Hawes has been using motility implants since 1985 and is very familiar with their implantation and management. The patient pictured below had his left eye removed by Dr. Hawes, with placement of a motility implant.  He is seen wearing an ocular prosthesis made by Walter Johnson. A book is available that many patients have found helpful in dealing with the loss of an eye. Order your copy of A Singular View, written by airplane pilot Frank Brady, who lost an eye in an accident.  The book gives accurate descriptions of the problems encountered, and suggests methods of coping with the problems. Services Menu 850 East Harvard Avenue #345 Denver, Colorado 80210 303-698-2424 303-698-2430 FAX staff@drhawes.com