Cancer took our Ellie’s eye ... coral will give it back to her

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1. The implant is made from special coral only found in the south Pacific. 2. The coral is moulded into the right size and shape, and is then inserted in the eye socket shortly after the diseased one is removed. 3. Because the coral is porous, blood vessels can grow into it allowing the eye to move as naturally as possible.

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tumours in her right eye to save her sight and life.

“Our first priority was that our lovely Ellie was saved.”

Wi t h s u rg e r y behind h e r, attention has now turned to making life as normal as possible for Ellie, who loves nothing better than playing with her dolls and her big brother Alex, four, whom she dotes on.

“I had seen artificial eyes on people and always thought they were obvious,” added dad Alex.

“At the back of my mind I feared she would be bullied but we would cope with that as she grew older.

“When doctors told me of the amazing coral implants that moved with the eye we were delighted.”

Ellie has already undergone surgery to anchor a base of the coral implant to the back of her eye. She is now in the process of having the front part fitted in a series of procedures.

Like any caring parents, Alex and wife Corry, 37, wanted to wrap their arms around their daughter to help her cope. BIOSCIENCE is a fast-moving and exciting field which is reaping dividends for patients.

Scientists are increasingly turning to the natural world for cures and radical new forms of treatment.

One area where consultants expect to see massive progress over the next 20 years is in the use of animal organs in humans. At present pigs’

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4. The front of the eye is carefully painted to look as realistic as possible.

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5. It is then attached to the coral by a titanium anchor. 6. Ellie’s eye was removed in December and the coral replacement is due to be fitted and anchored shortly. Her family hope it will help her lead a more normal life.

But Alex added: “We are totally amazed by her bravery throughout it all.”

“We thought she would be massively distressed but she’s taken it in her stride,” added her mum.