The psychosocial benefits of secondary hydroxyapatite orbital implant insertion and prosthesis wearing for patients with anophthalmia

Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2012 Sep-Oct;28(5):324-7. doi: 10.1097/IOP.0b013e31825238c9.

Abstract

Purpose: Anophthalmia is associated with a range of psychosocial difficulties and hydroxyapatite orbital implant insertion and prosthesis wearing is the predominant rehabilitation therapy for anophthalmia. However, few articles have compared preoperative and postoperative psychosocial outcomes using standardized questionnaires. This study aimed to investigate the psychosocial benefits of hydroxyapatite orbital implant insertion and prosthesis wearing in this patient population.

Methods: In all, 36 participants were tested preoperatively and 6-months postoperatively using standardized measures of anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), social anxiety and social avoidance (Derriford Appearance Scale-Short Form), and quality of life (World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale-Short Form).

Results: Before treatment, levels of depression were comparable with population norms; however, levels of general anxiety were slightly raised, levels of social anxiety, social avoidance, and quality of life were significantly poorer than population norms. Treatment resulted in significant improvement in psychosocial adjustment with improvements in all study variables for the participant group as a whole.

Conclusion: Hydroxyapatite orbital implant insertion and prosthesis wearing offers significant improvements in psychological and physical functioning for patients with anophthalmia.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anophthalmos / psychology*
  • Anophthalmos / rehabilitation*
  • Anxiety / psychology
  • Biocompatible Materials*
  • Depression / psychology
  • Durapatite*
  • Eye, Artificial / psychology*
  • Eye, Artificial / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Orbital Implants / psychology*
  • Orbital Implants / statistics & numerical data
  • Prosthesis Fitting
  • Quality of Life / psychology
  • Social Behavior
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Durapatite