The field of prostheses includes many different options for individuals who lose a limb or body part. One of those options is the replacement of an eye after an individual may have lost their it to a traumatic accidents, been born without or lost their eyes to disease such as retinoblastoma.
The loss of an eye can be even more traumatic than the loss of the hand or foot. In our society we are judged first by our face and in most cases individual communication is judged by the expression on our face. The loss of an eye significantly impacts the ability of our face to communicate as well as causes negative effects on those who first meet us.
With the use of a prosthetic eye and the techniques and materials that are available today, these problems are usually solved both physically and psychologically. The patient is often given the choice as to who will produce an artificial eye and give them back a natural appearance and confidence that allows them to conquer anything.
The prosthetist who develops an artificial eye is called an ocularist. These professionals have the option of producing an artificial in only two different ways. In the first place the eye is made in stock colors and the stock eye is fitted to the patients. In the second scenario the prosthetists will sit and manufacture an eye specific to the measurements and needs of the patients.
Ocularist who produce custom-made artificial eyes are able to match the iris of the other eye which is as unique to an individual as their fingerprints. By giving an individual a matching eye they are significantly reducing the risk that anyone else will notice that they have an artificial eye.
The care of the artificial eye includes rinsing it with normal saline every couple of days and removing and once a month to be washed with soap and water. By doing this the individual will reduce the amount of plaque and build up that occurs on the artificial eye when it is placed in a moist environment inside the eye sockets.
It is also important for the patient to be evaluated by an ocularist at least once a year in order to make specific adjustments to the size and shape of the eye. Without annual evaluation and adjustment the eye can weight down the orbital socket causing the eyelids to sag and making the artificial eye even more noticable.
Using an ocularist who custom makes artificial eyes will only improve your satisfaction with the outcome and increase the probability that no one will recognize the difference.
RESOURCES
Jahrling Ocular Prosthetics: Hygiene Care for Ocular Prosthesis
Erickson Labs: Handling Your Ocular Prosthesis