The Prosthodontics Department of King George’s Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow is now offering artificial eye (ocular prosthesis) services for patients who have lost their eyeball due to retinoblastoma, a childhood cancer. This initiative not only restores the defect but also the lost confidence of the patients.
According to Prof Pooran Chand, HoD of the Department of Prosthodontics, dentistry extends beyond teeth and oral structures to include prosthesis of the eye, nose, and ears. The department sees an average of two retinoblastoma cases per week, with the cancer affecting around 2000 people in the country each year.
Patients can avail the artificial eye service at KGMU for a maximum of Rs 1000, significantly lower than the private sector cost of up to Rs 25,000. Prof. Pooran Chand mentioned that the department provides the facility free of cost to cancer patients, emphasizing the importance of accessibility to such essential services.
Prof. Arvind Tripathi, another medical expert, suggested that maxillofacial prosthodontics should be recognized as a separate branch, with training programs established across different states in India. Prof. Pooran Chand highlighted the societal stigma faced by patients with missing facial parts and the positive impact of maxillofacial prosthesis in improving their aesthetics and mental well-being.
