Socket Revision Surgery and Eye Prosthesis Preparation – Successful Long-Term Treatment Experience

I would like to sincerely thank Prof. Dr. Altuğ Çetinkaya for his understanding, patience, and for treating me as he would his own patient.

At the age of 6, I suffered a chemical burn due to lime exposure and lost my vision. Over time, I developed mild edema and delayed wound healing around the entire eye area, including the eyebrows and eyelids, due to reduced circulation. After undergoing prosthetic eye surgery in 2013, my eye-related problems became even more pronounced.

For more than 10 years, I struggled to explain my condition to physicians and to feel understood. I had issues with eyelid drooping and socket pain. I had already undergone 6 surgeries before, and I was told that further surgery would be risky and that I should be grateful for what I had and learn to live with it.

I found Dr. Altuğ through my own research and decided to visit him with a “what do I have to lose?” mindset. During the examination, he explained in detail what he would do and answered all my questions. For the first time in 21 years, I did not feel the need to repeatedly explain myself.

Still, due to my past fears, I postponed the surgery for about 6 months.

Three months ago, he performed a socket revision surgery using multiple techniques, including a graft. He personally followed my process before and after surgery and kept me well informed. Despite a graft being taken from the palate and having an open wound, it healed almost completely within 10 days. I experienced no significant pain and had a very comfortable recovery. I was fully healed and ready for a new prosthesis in 8 weeks, and the process is now progressing smoothly.

Looking back, I realize I spent years believing I had no other option, when in fact the right solution could have been achieved in about two months. I just needed to find the right expert. It was a late but very meaningful experience, and I am grateful it was not a difficult one in the end.

I originally found Dr. Altuğ through my own research, so I wanted to share my experience here in the hope that it may help others. I am deeply grateful to him and his team for their patience, kindness, and warm approach.