The TV presenter Katie Piper has revealed she is trying out an “artificial eye” more than 16 years after an acid attack left her partly blind and with life-changing burns.

The Loose Women panellist, 41, who is an advocate for those with burns and disfigurement injuries, shared a video that appeared to show her being fitted with a prosthetic.

In an Instagram post, she wrote: “After many years battling with my eye health, I’ve reached the end of road somewhat, and the decision has been made to try a prosthetic eye shell.

“This marks the start of a journey to have an artificial eye, with an incredible medical team behind me.

“As always I’m incredibly grateful to all those in the NHS and private healthcare system for their talent and kindness.

“I will share my journey, I’m hopeful and nervous about being able to tolerate it and would love to hear from any of you in the comments if you’ve been on this journey or have any advice.”

The former model suffered an acid attack arranged by her ex-boyfriend in March 2008.

After the attack, the former model gave up her right to anonymity and made a Channel 4 documentary in 2009 called Katie: My Beautiful Face.

She founded the Katie Piper Foundation, which supports survivors of life-changing burns and scars, and received an honorary doctorate from the Royal College of Surgeons to mark her groundbreaking work with the foundation.

In 2021, Piper, who hosts Katie Piper’s Breakfast Show on ITV, was made an OBE in the Queen’s new year honours list for her services to charity and survivors of burns and other disfigurement injuries.

• Television
• Blindness and visual impairment
• Disability
• Violence against women and girls
• Health
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