British television presenter Katie Piper has shared her decision to receive a synthetic eye, 16 years after being the victim of an acid attack.
Piper has undergone hundreds of different medical surgeries since she was attacked, in an incident orchestrated by her ex-boyfriend in 2008. Both of Piper’s attackers were convicted and sentenced to life in prison (one of them was released in 2018).
Now he has shared it in a post on Instagram. that he has “come to the end of the road a bit and has made the decision to try an ocular prosthesis.”
She wrote: “This marks the beginning of a journey to have a synthetic eye, with an incredible medical team behind me.
“As always, I am incredibly grateful to all those in the NHS and private healthcare system for their talent and kindness.
“I will share my journey, I am hopeful and nervous that I will be able to tolerate it and I would love to hear from any of you in the comments if you have 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. He waived his right to victim anonymity the following year and made a documentary with Channel 4 about his 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 her charitable services and help to victims of disfigurement in 2021.
