Specializing in Custom Artificial Eyes

Ocular Prosthetics - Scleral Shells - Pediatric Prosthetic Eyes

Christie Erickson, BCO Licensed Ocularist
Todd Cranmore, BCO, BADO Licensed Ocularist

HANDLING YOUR OCULAR PROSTHESIS

Ocular Prosthetics can easily be removed and replaced. They are held in place by the lower and upper eyelids and fit to the interior of the eye socket. Most patients wear their prosthesis full time, removing only occasionally to clean, while other patients remove their prosthesis at night. Wearing full time is ideal.

Always use clean hands when handling your prosthesis. Check your surroundings to make sure the prosthesis won't be damaged or lost if it is accidentally dropped. Remove the prosthesis only as necessary to clean or as often as directed. Too much handling can cause irritation to your socket and excess drainage.

To REMOVE an Artificial Eye

1. Open your eyelids with your thumb and forefinger.
2. Place suction cup on the front of the prosthesis by squeezing handle and releasing once attached to the prosthesis.
3. Look up and depress lower lid with forefinger.
4.Slide prosthesis upward and forward, out of socket.

Or, look up, depress lower lid with forefinger and swipe towards ear, dislodging prosthesis. Remove prosthesis with your free hand.

To PLACE an Artificial Eye

1. Attach suction cup to prosthesis, lift upper eyelid with finger to create an opening. Without suction cup, hold on to edges of prosthesis with fingers.
2. Gently slide top edge of artificial eye under upper lid into the socket.
3. Release upper lid while holding artificial eye in place.
4. Gently pull down lower lid until eye drops into position behind the lids.
5. Remove suction cup and blink to moisten prosthesis.
Check eye position and adjust if necessary.

To REMOVE or PLACE an Scleral Shell

1. Follow same handling instructions as artificial eyes.
2. It may be helpful to look down while removing and placing the scleral shell.
3. Wear as long as comfortable, removing at night if necessary.

CLEANING YOUR OCULAR PROSTHESIS

Over time, the surface of the prosthesis collects protein and debris. Taking good care of your prosthesis helps to ensure a healthy socket and increase the life of your prosthesis.

Some patients find that removing and cleaning their prosthesis every day is necessary, while others are able to wear it for a couple weeks or longer before cleaning.

Cleaning the prosthesis every 2-3 weeks is ideal.

Always wash hands prior to handling your ocular prosthesis. Use warm water to rinse and softly scrub the prosthesis, removing built-up protein and debris. Dry with a soft tissue, polishing very lightly in a circular motion.

Do not clean or soak the prosthesis in any solvents, disinfectants or alcohol. These chemicals may cause irritation to your socket or damage to the prosthesis. Saline solution is okay to use as a substitute for water for cleaning, but is not necessary.

A professional polish is the only way to remove the protein attachments and bacterial infiltration. We recommend having your prosthesis polished every 6 months, depending on your body chemistry. Please call today to schedule an appoinment if your last polish was over 6 months ago.

HELPFUL HINTS FOR ARTIFICIAL EYE WEARERS

Too much handling can cause irritation to your socket and excess drainage. Do not store your eye in Kleenex, it could be accidentally discarded. Always wipe your eye towards the nose, wiping outward may dislodge the prosthesis.

POLISHING YOUR ARTIFICIAL EYE

A professional polish removes scratches and helps keep proteins deposits and bacteria from building on the prosthesis. Polishing provides comfort and a more natural appearance. This appointment also allows your ocularist to examine the orbit, ensuring that your tissue is healthy and your prosthesis is fitting correctly.

The prosthesis should be professionally polished every six months.

Some symptoms that may occur when one is in need of a polish are:

• irritated or itchy lids
• increased drainage or discomfort
• changes in the appearance

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact us for an appointment.

REPLACING YOUR ARTIFICIAL EYE

Artificial eyes do need to be replaced. Eye sockets change shape over time and the surface of the prosthesis breaks down due to body chemistry.

An artificial eye should be replaced approximately every five years.

Some symptoms that may occur when one is in need of a replacement are:

• increased drainage or discomfort
• recurring infections
• droopiness of the upper or lower lid
• decreased movement
• changes in appearance

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or any other difficulties with your fit, please contact us for an appointment.

FAKE EYE LUBRICANTS

Occasionally, artificial eye wearers will experience dryness, irritation, increased drainage or difficulty blinking. This is especially true of hot, cold, windy, dusty or air-conditioned environments. All of these conditions tend to evaporate the moisture from the front of the prosthesis.

We recommend Sil-Ophtho, a lubricant specifically made for ocular prosthetics. It contains no preservatives and is made of 100% silicone oil. Silophtho is very popular among our patients and tends to relieve the above symptoms very well.

Sil Ophtho is applied by placing a small drop on a clean finger and swiping across the prosthesis while wearing. Sil-Ophtho should be used as needed, every couple days, or daily.

SilOphtho is available online from our office. It is not typically available in pharmacies or drugstores. One bottle should last approximately one year when used as directed. Cost is $16.50 USD per bottle. We also offer many other useful products for the care and use of your ocular prosthesis. Click here for more information about lubricants and how they interact with your prosthesis.

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