GWR
08-08-08, 11:09 PM
Rather bizarre report and photo - although I have a suspicion it's photoshopped::)
When appearance is everything
By Nilar Win
http://www.mmtimes.com/no430/pic/014.gif
[Photo: Myanmar Times - U Myint Swe makes prosthetic body parts for people who have suffered injuries, allowing them to lead more normal lives.]
“NOBODY wants to be friends with me. Even my pet cat always keeps away from me,” says a man who wishes to remain anonymous. “My left eye was lost and the area surrounding it was damaged in a car accident three years ago. Since then, people don’t want to communicate with me because of my scary face. I had to give up my career and avoided going out in public. Although I had a ready made artificial eye, it didn’t fit properly and was bigger on one side. I felt it made me uglier than before” he adds.
All this is now in the past thanks to the work of Saya U Myint Swe a maxillo-facial surgeon (someone who specialises in treating injuries to the face, neck, head and jaws.) With the help of U Myint Swe, the man now has a fake eye tailored to match his real eye exactly. Along with 2000 other people who have also received fake eyes, the man has had both his appearance and confidence restored.
Like most maxillo-facial surgeons, U Myint Swe began his career as a dentist, beginning his studies at the Dental College in Yangon in 1969 and working there for many years before retirement. After finishing his degree he supplied artificial eyes to soldiers wounded in combat. He then extended his services and began helping civilians. He has been creating artificial body parts for 33 years.
“To make artificial eyes, I use the same ingredients used to make teeth. When I make an eye, the most important thing is to take the exact measurement of the eye lengthways. I examine the colour of the original eye if there is one left. It is essential that the eye matches with the other side. If not, we cannot get a perfect eye. For the best result the patient and I have to be very patient,” says U Myint Swe, now 64 years old.
With many years of experience behind him U Myint Swe is adept at making a variety of body parts including artificial limbs, ears and various other body parts. He has even pioneered the use of hollow artificial eyes, which customers prefer because they are lighter and easier to use.
Saya Myint Swe is always seeking to improve his skills by using new methods. Each person has specific needs depending on the type of injury they have received. Some people lost eyes in bear attacks, children sometimes lose their eyes while playing with objects such as sharp pencils and sticks.
One parent whose daughter lost an eye said: “My daughter is an outstanding student. One day she got a boil on her ear and one of her friends tried to cure it with some kind of toothpaste. The toothpaste spread to her eyes and harmed them. She lost one of her eyes but is now wearing one of Saya U Myint Swe’s artificial eyes. Nobody knows which eye is real. The result is she can continue her schooling as a normal student.”
http://www.mmtimes.com/no430/t005.htm
When appearance is everything
By Nilar Win
http://www.mmtimes.com/no430/pic/014.gif
[Photo: Myanmar Times - U Myint Swe makes prosthetic body parts for people who have suffered injuries, allowing them to lead more normal lives.]
“NOBODY wants to be friends with me. Even my pet cat always keeps away from me,” says a man who wishes to remain anonymous. “My left eye was lost and the area surrounding it was damaged in a car accident three years ago. Since then, people don’t want to communicate with me because of my scary face. I had to give up my career and avoided going out in public. Although I had a ready made artificial eye, it didn’t fit properly and was bigger on one side. I felt it made me uglier than before” he adds.
All this is now in the past thanks to the work of Saya U Myint Swe a maxillo-facial surgeon (someone who specialises in treating injuries to the face, neck, head and jaws.) With the help of U Myint Swe, the man now has a fake eye tailored to match his real eye exactly. Along with 2000 other people who have also received fake eyes, the man has had both his appearance and confidence restored.
Like most maxillo-facial surgeons, U Myint Swe began his career as a dentist, beginning his studies at the Dental College in Yangon in 1969 and working there for many years before retirement. After finishing his degree he supplied artificial eyes to soldiers wounded in combat. He then extended his services and began helping civilians. He has been creating artificial body parts for 33 years.
“To make artificial eyes, I use the same ingredients used to make teeth. When I make an eye, the most important thing is to take the exact measurement of the eye lengthways. I examine the colour of the original eye if there is one left. It is essential that the eye matches with the other side. If not, we cannot get a perfect eye. For the best result the patient and I have to be very patient,” says U Myint Swe, now 64 years old.
With many years of experience behind him U Myint Swe is adept at making a variety of body parts including artificial limbs, ears and various other body parts. He has even pioneered the use of hollow artificial eyes, which customers prefer because they are lighter and easier to use.
Saya Myint Swe is always seeking to improve his skills by using new methods. Each person has specific needs depending on the type of injury they have received. Some people lost eyes in bear attacks, children sometimes lose their eyes while playing with objects such as sharp pencils and sticks.
One parent whose daughter lost an eye said: “My daughter is an outstanding student. One day she got a boil on her ear and one of her friends tried to cure it with some kind of toothpaste. The toothpaste spread to her eyes and harmed them. She lost one of her eyes but is now wearing one of Saya U Myint Swe’s artificial eyes. Nobody knows which eye is real. The result is she can continue her schooling as a normal student.”
http://www.mmtimes.com/no430/t005.htm