Citation

Keys J, Dempster M, Jackson J, Williams M, Coyle S. Acta Psychol. 2021; 219: e103383.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.actpsy.2021.103383

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study aims to explore the psychosocial factors and challenges affecting the lives of those who wear an ocular prosthesis following a traumatic eye injury. Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with eight individuals resulted in five themes: emotional devastation in the aftermath; moving forward; fear of negative social evaluation; keeping it normal - protecting self and close others; and threat of injury & blindness. Enucleation or evisceration of an eye causes significant emotional stress. Despite successful prosthetic restoration, many individuals continue to experience ongoing psychosocial challenges, as a consequence of their experiences of visible difference and visual impairment.

Language: en

Keywords

Adults; Trauma; Appearance; Psychological distress; Qualitative