‘I’ve got a defect and an infection’ – Katie Piper updates fans after surgery to ‘avoid losing her eye’

Sophie Collins

Katie Piper has taken to social media to share a health update with her fans after having surgery to save her left eye.

The UK presenter was on her way back to the eye clinic when she explained that her surgery recovery wasn’t going as well as she had hoped.

Speaking in a video on Instagram, the brave mum-of-two said: “I’ve spent the morning back at the eye clinic as I’ve got problems with my eye. I’ve got a defect and an infection that is becoming really hard to treat.”

Katie thanked her husband for all of his support at this difficult time and even turned the camera to show Richard James Sutton driving her to her hospital appointment.

She said: “I have to give a shout out to my lovely husband, he’s always there for me, always driving. He’s spent a lot of time in hospital waiting rooms and a lot of car parks waiting for me.”

The update comes not long after Katie opened up about the mental struggles she has to deal with when undergoing numerous surgeries.

The 40-year-old suffered major injuries and blindness in one eye after being attacked with acid by her ex-boyfriend and an accomplice 15 years ago.

After undergoing surgery back in November, Katie shared a picture from the hospital, and told fans: “I’ve also had scar tissue operated on on my right eye, so that will also be slightly swollen. I wanted to put this here for a few reasons: Firstly to educate that living with the kind of injuries I have means things will change throughout your life and sometimes things go backwards.

“There isn’t really an end point and part of this kind of recovery is acceptance of that. Secondly with a disfigurement surgical decisions have to be based around function not aesthetics. In my case, I am trying to preserve the eye, avoid perforation and losing my eye completely.”

She went on to say: “Just because something is on view permanently it doesn’t give people the right to constantly comment on your appearance- you never know what’s going on in someone’s life. Also, if this helps anyone else…. yes I do sometimes find it hard.

“I’m ok with looking different to everyone else but operations can sometimes take me back to memories of how this all started and that’s hard mentally.

“I always think I’m incredibly lucky with this space here on IG. I feel like I have an intelligent, interesting and kind following.

“So I know most of you will find this update useful and probably have had your own similar journeys of medical or mental health recoveries, but for the few that will send msgs or leave negative comments (I’ve heard them all before, nothing new) then this explanation/ education is for you.”

She concluded her post by saying: “I’m still the same person. I’ve just had a different path in life to most and that’s ok. For the most part I live a fulfilling, privileged and very happy life. For that, I’m extremely grateful.

“But as I recover I’m asking that you please don’t troll me. Thank you to my eye surgeon Mr Joshi for taking care of my eyelids all these years. I’m so grateful to him and his team for care, compassion and skill.”