Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko on Saturday, April 12, revealed that Irene Mbithe, the woman who lost her eye to a hyena attack, successfully underwent artificial eye transplant surgery.
In a statement, Sonko announced that the first stage of the artificial eye surgery transplant, also known as prosthetic eye surgery, was a success.
"The first process of artificial eye surgery transplant for Irene Wambua Mbithe (the lady who was attacked by hyenas) was successful at the Lions' First Sight Eye Hospital," Sonko stated.
The medical procedure involves replacing a missing or damaged eye with an artificial one. While the artificial eye doesn't restore vision, it serves cosmetic, psychological, and in some cases, protective purposes.
Some of the key terms associated with the surgery include:
Enucleation – the surgical removal of the entire eyeball, usually leaving the eye muscles and eyelids intact.
Evisceration – the removal of the eye's internal contents while preserving the sclera (the white part of the eye) and sometimes the cornea.
Exenteration – the removal of the entire orbital contents, including the eye and surrounding tissue, usually performed for severe infections or malignancies.
The surgery is typically done under general anaesthesia. During the procedure, the damaged eye tissue is removed and an ocular implant—made from materials such as hydroxyapatite, acrylic, or porous polyethylene—is inserted. In many cases, eye muscles are attached to the implant to allow for some movement.
The healing period takes about 6–8 weeks, during which a temporary conformer (a plastic shell) is placed to help maintain the shape of the eye socket. Post-operative care includes antibiotics, pain management, and routine follow-ups.
Once healing is complete, a prosthetic eye is fitted by an ocularist—a specialist who designs and custom paints prosthetic eyes to match the patient's healthy eye. The prosthetic is placed over the healed implant or conformer.
Post-surgery care involves regular cleaning of the prosthesis, follow-up appointments with both the ocularist and ophthalmologist, and the use of lubricants or artificial tears to maintain comfort. The prosthesis may require replacement every 5–7 years, depending on wear and changes in the socket.
Sonko came to the rescue of Irene after she was featured on Shajara na Lulu on Citizen TV, narrating how a vicious hyena attack left her without her left eye and left limb.
While narrating her story, Mbithe revealed that the attack happened six years ago at the Tsavo National Park after she was dumped by a trucker in a free ride gone wrong.
"When I saw it, I was shocked. I tried to run, but it caught me and feasted on my face. While I was trying to escape, it grabbed me by my arm, dragged me to the fence, and ate my hand as I watched," she painfully explained.
Touched by the heart-wrenching story, the former governor promised to settle her three months' rent and facilitate her treatment, which included the eye transplant.
