UAE: 35 years of trauma ends for Filipina expat who lost an eye in childhood accident

Sharjah: Jovi Jacao, a 42-year-old Filipina healthcare assistant and a mother of two, has carried the trauma of an unfortunate childhood accident, in which she lost an eye, for 35 long years.

Now, a life-changing oculoplastic surgery at a hospital in the UAE has given back Jovi a natural appearance and the confidence she had lost as a child, helping her heal from decades of emotional trauma.

At the age of seven, a simple game with friends turned into a tragedy that would shape the rest of her life. A stick struck her eye, causing irreparable damage and ultimately leading to the removal of her eyeball.

As she grew up, the emotional scars ran deeper than the physical loss. Jovi became painfully self-conscious, often withdrawing from social interactions to avoid the stares and questions about the void in her eyeball.

“I believed there was no solution for me. I felt incomplete… different. I avoided looking in the mirror and struggled with my confidence,” Jovi recalled.

Even as an adult, the weight of her condition lingered, affecting her self-esteem and sense of normalcy despite getting married and leading a happy family life.

After decades of believing that there was no solution, she finally turned to Dr Fairooz PM, Specialist Oculoplastic Surgeon at Medcare Hospital in Sharjah for help.

Dr Fairooz, who restored Jovi’s damaged eye socket with a specially customised prosthetic eye, said initially, Jovi’s primary concern was her appearance.

“Her left eye socket had significantly shrunken over the years due to the absence of an eyeball, making it difficult for her to wear a prosthesis. She had lived with this condition for decades, believing there was no real solution. But modern advancements in oculoplastic surgery had something new to offer—an opportunity for her to regain a natural look through socket reconstruction,” explained Dr Fairooz.

“Jovi had lived with this trauma for so long, and it took time to convince her that we could do the surgery safely and effectively. The goal was not just to enhance her appearance but to help her heal psychologically. She deserved to look in the mirror and feel whole again,” she added.

Jovi’s left eye socket had deteriorated significantly over the years, making it almost impossible for her to wear a prosthetic eye comfortably.

Dr Fairooz recommended a highly specialised procedure—socket reconstruction using a Dermis Fat Graft, a technique that involves transplanting tissue from another part of the body to restore lost volume and create enough space for a prosthesis.

“This surgery had to be executed with extreme accuracy,” explained Dr Fairooz.

“Any misalignment could have affected the aesthetics of her eye and face. We carefully reconstructed the socket and deepened the fornix, ensuring that the customised prosthesis would sit naturally.”

The surgery lasted three hours, followed by a ten-week healing process. During this time, Jovi was monitored closely, and once her recovery was complete, a highly customised ocular prosthesis was created to match the colour and structure of her natural eye. The final result was a seamless blend that restored symmetry to her face.

Jovi’s journey was not just about medical transformation; it was about reclaiming her identity. The psychological impact of living with an eye condition for over three decades had been immense. For the first time since childhood, she could look at herself in the mirror without feeling self-conscious.

“This wasn’t just about aesthetics,” said Dr Fairooz. “For many patients like Jovi, losing an eye is more than a physical trauma—it’s an emotional one. Being able to restore their confidence and sense of self is just as important as the medical procedure itself.”

The emotional reaction of Jovi, who has been living in the UAE for 17 years, was overwhelming. “For years, I felt like people only saw what I had lost. Now, I feel like myself again. This surgery has changed my life in ways I never imagined. I can smile happily and socialise. I am endlessly grateful to Dr Fairooz and the Medcare team for giving me a fresh start.”