Losing an Eye | Afke’s Story
A documentary portrait about adapting to life after eye removal and learning to live with vulnerability.
Episode
Afke worked for many years in the mental health sector before losing one of her eyes after multiple retinal detachments and unsuccessful surgeries.
She now wears an eye prosthesis, mainly so that others feel comfortable when they see her. Among close friends she sometimes chooses to remove it, allowing herself to simply be.
Living with one eye requires constant adaptation. Depth perception changes, daily tasks demand more concentration and the remaining eye suddenly becomes precious.
Afke’s story reflects on vulnerability, acceptance and the quiet adjustments required to rebuild everyday life.
Format
This film is part of a series of documentary portraits produced for Oog in Oog, a Dutch association supporting people who have lost an eye or live with an eye condition.
Each film follows one person and explores how losing an eye or living with limited vision affects everyday life. The portraits focus on personal experiences, medical journeys and the emotional impact of adapting to a new reality.
Together the stories reveal the diversity of causes and experiences behind life with one eye, while showing how people find their own ways to adapt and move forward.
Produced by Cooltuur
Client: Vereniging Oog in Oog
Language: Dutch