Question by CHACC: Is it possible to repair the cosmetic damage sustained from a zygomatic / blow out fracture?
Sustained a blow out fracture several years ago and Ive never been happy with the fact I’ve now got one eye smaller than the other…looks unsymmetrical and gives me a bit of an evil look lol. At the time the specialist said there’s nothing they can do to improve it cosmetically because it isn’t ‘bad enough’…

However it’s bad enough that I notice it, and see it in pictures…does anybody out there know if it’s possible to get some kind of resconstructive surgery? I’m seeing the doctor this wk but any advice on what to ask would be appreciated….

It seems strange when someone like me has been left a bit disfigured from an accident that they can’t repair the damage…when you get celebs like Jordan having loads of random surgery to make them look good???

Best answer:

Answer by Roy S
Hi

I feel for you, I really do and agree with your Jordan comparison – unfortunately that’s the power of money for you!

OK – your cosmetic problem. The thing that the specialist hit on was that the damage wasn’t bad enough for reconstruction. Medical science is a wonderful thing and what they can do these days with plastic surgery is incredible. But – 99% of reconstructive or corrective surgeries are working from the initial state of “it’s broken – let’s fix it”. Add to that the fact that the eye and the whole bony structure around it is incredibly delicate and finely balanced, most reconstructive surgery to that area is a do or die thing, ie if it goes well, the patient regains their sight – if it goes badly then they were going to loose their sight anyway if they didn’t operate. I suspect that they were concerned that if they went in and did anything, you could potentially loose the eye or even make matters worse.

That said, they are forever making advances in medical treatments. It’s certainly worthwhile going back to your GP and as a patient, you can now have quite a large say in your treatment. I’m no expert on this side of the new NHS way of referring to this that or the other hospital, but my wife who knows a HELL of a lot more than me tells me that you could ask for a referral to Morfields Eye Hospital in London. Now, I don’t know where in the country you are, but if I had an eye problem and were willing to get expert opinion and treatment – I’d be asking to be referred there.

Another course of action for you might be to ask the Doctor for a referral to a counselling service. This may sound like a cop-out, but bear with me. If the difference in size is causing you distress, you might be able to access services designed to help you “mask” the problem (the same sort of services that produce “fake” breasts for mastectomy patients or glass eyes, etc – you get the idea). They may only be able to suggest wearing a pair or darkened glasses, but surely a discussion would be at least worthwhile in case they suggest something you hadn’t thought of.

Good luck my friend – I wish you well.

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