Prosthetic eyes fitted for eye-gouging boy

Guo Bin, a 6-year-old boy whose eyes were gouged out in August in Shanxi province, is recovering after receiving ocular prostheses at a hospital in Shenzhen, doctors said. Provided to China Daily

Guo Bin, the 6-year-old boy whose eyes were gouged out in August in Shanxi province, is recovering quite well, his eye surgeon said.

"(The surgery) was perfect. He is doing fine. Guo has never cried or created any problems," said Fairooz P. Manjandavida, an oculist from C-MER (Shenzhen) Dennis Lam Eye Hospital, on Friday during a news conference in Shenzhen.

Manjandavida performed an ocular prosthesis implant surgery for Guo Bin on Sept 10.

The boy was injured in a horrific attack on Aug 24 by his aunt, who later killed herself, police said.

Dennis Lam Shun-Chiu, an oculist from Hong Kong, said that currently the boy is receiving rehabilitation, including physical therapy and psychological counseling provided by three volunteers and experts from Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

The basic rehabilitation exercises include using the bathroom, walking, using his hands, making tea and using the computer.

Lam, the founder of the hospital, organized a team to follow Guo's case after the incident on Aug 27.

A video released by the hospital shows that the boy is able to use a computer, play with toys and even play an instrument by himself.

He will be discharged from the hospital in two weeks, China News Service reported.

The ocular prosthesis can be worn daily and should be removed once a month to clean the socket by irrigation, Manjandavida said.

Since the boy checked into the hospital on Sept 8, he has received donations and toys. Lam said the donations would be used to pay his tuition fees.

In a video Guo's parents expressed their thanks to the hospital and the public for their concern for their son and said that they will return to Shanxi province after Guo's prosthetic implants need no further adjustments.

The Disabled Person's Federation of Taiyuan, Shanxi province, will help Guo choose a proper school after he returns.

Lam, the Hong Kong oculist, said that after six months the boy may go to the United States to learn how to use a navigation sensor to walk on his own and live independently in a familiar environment.

Lam said that navigation sensors are already available on the market and cost about 100,000 yuan ($16,410) each.

linjingcd@chinadaily.com.cn