PROCESS OF TAKING CARE OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY IN THE REHABILITATION AND ADAPTATION OF OCULAR PROSTHESIS IN CLIENT ASSISTED IN A SPECIALIZED CLINIC IN RIO DE JANEIRO

Abstract

The loss of a facial element, such as the ocular bulb, is something that directly affects the life of the human being, regardless of his age, ethnicity and creed, whose consequences can follow both in the physical, social and emotional. Objective: to analyze the rehabilitation process, preparation, adaptation and placement of aesthetic eye prosthesis in a specialized clinic in Rio de Janeiro. Method: For the production of prostheses, pre-fabricated artificial scleras were used in acrylic resin, adapted to the anophthalmic cavity shape. Throughout the treatment, aesthetic, psychosocial and behavioral results were obtained, data were collected through semi-structured interviews and verbalizations based on Bardin’s content analysis. Results: within the verbalized feelings before the use of the prosthesis they reported the alteration of the self-image making it negative of itself, feeling ugly, monstrous and disfigured in an intensity far greater than the real image, depression, anger, shame, low self-esteem and anxiety after the use of the prosthesis, they experienced increased self-esteem, loss of shame, improvement of depression, because aesthetic ocular prosthesis, promoted correct facial growth, personal and interpersonal well-being, eliminating the trauma resulting from the apparent defect. The process involved several stages from the initial interview to the placement and guidance of care. Participants verbalized on the expansion of bond, autonomy and value of life. Conclusion: the ocular prosthesis favored the return to social and family life and the participants declared that the occupational therapy enabled improvement of their living.