New lab at KGMU to help aid rehab with artificial eye
patient rehabilitation
and emotional recovery, King George's Medical University (
KGMU
) became first govt institute in North India to launch a dedicated
ocular prosthesis laboratory
.
The lab, inaugurated on Saturday by Vice Chancellor Prof Soniya Nityanand, is in Room No. 17, 3rd floor, old OPD building of
ophthalmology department
.
This facility is designed to help patients who lost an eye due to injury, cancer, or infection. The lab will produce custom-made artificial eyes that closely match a patient's natural eye in shape and colour, improving facial appearance and restoring confidence.
Pro-Vice Chancellor and Head of the Department of Ophthalmology, Prof Apjit Kaur, highlighted affordability of the service and said, "In private sector, each prosthesis costs around Rs 20,000, whereas at KGMU it will be provided for just Rs 1,000." There is waiting list of 107 patients, with 23 to 25 new patients arriving each month.
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"This lab is for comprehensive eye care, including psychological and social rehabilitation and we aim to help patients regain appearance, confidence and dignity," said Prof Kaur, emphasising medical evaluation before fitting a prosthesis. "Patients must first consult before the procedure because if infected or unsuitable socket is used, it may cause serious complications. Only after evaluation by an oculoplastic specialist can the process begin."
Earlier, some patients went to unqualified dental technicians who used ready-made prosthetic eyes, altering them unprofessionally. "These poorly made prosthetics often caused infections, discharge and permanent socket damage," said Prof Kaur, adding, "This lab is our solution to ending such unsafe practices."
To ensure proper care, Prof Kaur's oculoplastic OPD runs on Wednesdays, with additional availability on Fridays and Saturdays for inpatient care. She explained that prosthetic eye was purely cosmetic and could not restore vision. "Think of it like the front half of a green pea—it mimics the appearance, not the function."
She added that the lab's ability to match the natural look of an eye provided a major psychological boost for patients coping with facial disfigurement, supporting their emotional well-being and social reintegration.
Special recognition was given to Sachin Gupta, CEO of Art Eyes, New Delhi, whose expertise as an ocularist was crucial in setting up the lab.
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