Living with enucleation (removal of an eye)

The removal of an eye is sometimes used to treat conditions, such as eye cancer, and very severe infections. It can also be an option for people who have both total vision loss and extreme pain in one eye. Whatever the reason is for removing an eye, it’s natural to feel worried about the operation and to think about how you’ll adapt to monocular vision (having vision in only one eye).

You’ll need some time to recover from the operation and to get used to wearing an artificial eye. With time, and if the vision in your remaining eye is good, it can learn to work with the brain to compensate for the removed eye.

Living independently with enucleation

In the following video, Sam shares her experience of living with enucleation.

You'll notice some changes to how you see when relying on one eye after eye removal. As  your eye and brain adjust, you'll notice:

• It's harder to judge distances (loss of depth perception)
• Some loss of field of vision (known as peripheral vision) on the side of your affected eye

It can be difficult at first, but some practical things can make life easier while you get used to monocular vision:

• Use the handrail when going up and downstairs, as it can be harder to judge the depth of steps and get your footing
• Try resting the edge of drinks containers and bottles against the cup or glass you're pouring into to help avoid spills
• Ask people to stay on the side where you're most comfortable. This could be the side with non-affected vision so that you can see them. Or it could be walking on the side of your lost eye to help you avoid obstacles
• Try turning your head more to compensate for losing some field of vision and the extra blind spots that it creates
• Take breaks from activities like reading and watching television to avoid possible eyestrain in your remaining eye
• To take extra care of your remaining eye, you can use protective eyewear for activities that could cause eye injuries, like DIY and contact sports
• Keep having regular eye tests with an optometrist to check on your remaining eye. They'll be able to detect any eye conditions, often before you notice any symptoms, and ensure you get the right treatment

At Guide Dogs, we have a wide range of services, both with and without guide dogs, and a team of experts who can work with you to understand your needs and agree on a plan that’s right for you.

The ways we could help you:

• Habilitation or rehabilitation of important life skills
• Our guide dog service
• Our Vision Rehabilitation Specialists can make recommendations best suited to you and your needs
• Tips and advice to help you make the most of your remaining vision
• Resources and support on how technology can improve your independence

If living with enucleation affects your sight so much that you are eligible to register as vision impaired, and it affects daily life, you may be entitled to financial support, such as  Personal Independence Payment.

Working after having an eye removed

You may need some adjustments to help you manage at work. Employers have a legal responsibility to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate your needs. You can work with your employer to help them understand your needs. For example, you might find the following helpful as you recover: 

• Time off or flexible working around your appointments
• Text-to-speech software to prevent eyestrain on your remaining eye

The Access to Work scheme gives employers a grant to help pay for equipment or services you need to work. These grants can be used in many ways. For example, it could help you get safely to and from work if you can't use public transport or pay for a support worker to assist you.

If you can't continue in the same role, even with equipment and support, you may be able to do a different job with the same employer. If you've been planning to have eye removal surgery for a while, it can help to think ahead and speak to your employer in advance.  

Driving after having an eye removed

If you don't have a vision impairment in your remaining eye, you have adapted to seeing with one eye, and you meet the DVLA's minimum vision standards, you might be able to drive. However, your eye doctor will need to confirm that you've adjusted fully to monocular vision before being allowed to drive. Different rules apply to different licences, such as a HGV licence, so it’s best to check the DVLA’s guidance and  speak to your eye doctor about your circumstances.

If you do experience vision changes, ask your ophthalmologist about driving. They can advise you whether your sight meets the minimum visual standard for driving.

Support for people after eye removal

You may need support to adjust to your sight loss after eye removal. This could mean help to make your home safer, training in skills for daily living, and guidance on getting around safely. There are lots of services and charities that can play a role:

• Your ophthalmologist may be able to refer you to a hospital Eye Clinic Liaison Officer who can give you support and information, especially in the early days of living with sight loss.
• You can also get support from social services. Registering as sight impaired will trigger a referral. They should assess your needs and offer support and advice, including equipment and adaptations to help you manage daily life at home.
• You may get help from a rehabilitation specialist. They can help you re-learn the skills you need to cope with the practicalities of daily life with sight loss.
• We have many techniques that can help you, including independent living skills at home.

Support organisations

Organisations and charities, such as Cancer Research UK, can provide more information on how to care for your eye post-surgery and getting a prosthesis (artificial eye).  Changing Faces can also provide emotional support when adjusting to your new appearance and finding communities of people who have also experienced enucleation.

Edited and reviewed by Susie Baker, Principal Vision Rehabilitation Specialist on 21 May 2025

Guide Dogs is committed to working alongside people with a range of vision impairments, who are registered as either sight-impaired or severely sight-impaired.

Our staff undergo comprehensive training in supporting individuals with vision impairment, to enable us to support you every step of the way through one of our many services, with and without dogs. We foster knowledge of living with vision impairment and create content in collaboration with our Vision Rehabilitation Specialists and Habilitation Specialists.

This content is periodically reviewed as we continue to embrace new knowledge and up-to-date information, in order to improve how we deliver our services and advice.

Please note: Whilst Guide Dogs may be able to suggest various third-party websites which may be able to assist you, those are not endorsed by Guide Dogs. Guide Dogs have no control over those third parties and cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information and support they can provide or the suitability and quality of any products or services they provide.