UK TV presenter Katie Piper has shared her decision to be fitted with an artificial eye, 16 years after she was the victim of an acid attack.
Piper has gone through hundreds of different medical surgeries since she was attacked, in an incident orchestrated by her ex-boyfriend in 2008. Both Piper’s attackers were convicted and given life sentences (one being released in 2018).
Now she has shared in a post on Instagram that she has “reached the end of the road somewhat, and the decision has been made to try a prosthetic eye shell.”
She wrote: “This marks the start of a journey to have an artificial eye, with an incredible medical team behind me.
“As always I’m incredibly grateful to all those in the NHS and private health care system for their talent and kindness.
“I will share my journey, I’m hopeful and nervous about being able to tolerate it and would love to hear from any of you in the comments if you’ve been on this journey or have any advice.”
The BBC reports that Piper lost sight in one eye at the time of the attack but doctors worked to restore it. She gave up her right to victim’s anonymity the following year and made a documentary with Channel 4 about her experience in 2009, called Katie: My Beautiful Face.
Piper later set up her own foundation to help people living with burns and scars, and was awarded an OBE for services to charity and helping victims of disfigurement in 2021.
