A prosthetic eye isn't just a replacement—it's a personalized solution that helps restore appearance and comfort after an eye loss.
In this article, we’ll dive into the types, materials, manufacturing process, costs, and care of prosthetic eyes, offering you a complete guide to understanding these prostheses.
Key Takeaways
- Prosthetic eyes come in two main types—custom-made, which is tailored to match the remaining natural eye, and stock prosthetic eyes, which offer a more temporary and less personalized solution.
- Common materials for prosthetic eyes include acrylic, which is comfortable and customizable, and silicone, which offers more integration with surrounding tissues for complex cases.
- Regular cleaning and professional checkups are essential to ensure your prosthetic eye remains comfortable and functional, preventing issues like irritation or infection.
What is a Prosthetic Eye
A prosthetic eye, often called an artificial eye or ocular prosthesis, is a custom-made replacement for a missing or removed eye. It helps restore facial appearance and comfort for those who have lost an eye due to injury, infection, tumor, or malformation.
A prosthetic eye doesn't restore vision, but it helps with the overall appearance of the face by covering the eye socket, which provides comfort. It also supports the proper movement of the eyelids, ensuring both aesthetic and functional benefits.
Types of Prosthetic Eyes
There are two main types of prosthetic eyes, serving different purposes and offering various options based on personal needs and circumstances.
- Custom-made prosthetic eyes – Custom prosthetic eyes are designed specifically for you. They are crafted by an ocularist (eye-maker) to match your remaining natural eye in color, shape, and size for a more natural fit.
- Stock prosthetic eyes – Stock prosthetic eyes are ready-made and can be used as a temporary solution. They are less personalized but still help restore your appearance.
Materials Used in Prosthetic Eyes
Prosthetic eyes, often called glass eyes, are typically crafted from a range of materials such as acrylic and silicone. Each of these materials has its own unique properties that allow the prosthetic eye to mimic the appearance and movement of a natural eye.
Acrylic Eye
Acrylic is the most commonly used material for prosthetic eyes due to its comfort and ease of customization. It allows for detailed coloring and polishing of the iris and sclera to closely replicate a natural eye.
The realistic appearance is achieved through meticulous techniques, using pigments to match the natural eye color.
However, acrylic prosthetics do have a few downsides. They may need periodic replacements due to anatomical changes in the eye socket, and the material can discolor over time.
These issues can be minimized, extending the life of the prosthetic eye through proper care and maintenance.
Silicone Eye
Silicone is a more recent material used for prosthetic eyes. Unlike acrylic, it can be used to create an integrated orbital prosthesis.
A silicone prosthetic eye is formed by making a mold of the eye socket, and then inserting a silicone ball to shape the prosthetic.
This material is often used for more complex cases, such as exenterations, where the entire eye socket is affected.
Silicone’s ability to integrate with surrounding tissues makes it ideal for certain patients, as it offers aesthetic restoration and structural support to the eye socket.
The Manufacturing Process of Prosthetic Eyes
Creating prosthetic eyes is meticulously carried out by professionals known as ocularists. From consultation to final fitting, we will guide you through each stage.
- Initial Consultation: The ocularist takes measurements of the eye socket, assessing its size and shape to determine the right fit for the prosthetic eye. They will also review your medical history and surgical details.
- Molding the Socket: The ocularist will make a mold of your eye socket. This ensures the prosthetic eye fits securely and comfortably, creating a natural look.
- Creating the Prosthesis: This is a detailed process, ensuring it matches the other eye in color, size, and shape.
- Fitting and Adjustments: This phase ensures that the prosthetic eye is comfortable, remains in its intended position, and offers appropriate movement. You may need additional fitting or adjustments a few weeks or months after initial placement to improve the fit or address discomfort, such as teary eyes, mucous discharge from the socket, or trouble focusing.
In cases where a damaged eye needs to be removed, this is usually performed under local anesthesia. Sedatives and pain-relief medication are administered to help manage anxiety and discomfort. While general anesthesia is available as an option for those who may prefer it.
Cost of Prosthetic Eyes
The cost of a prosthetic eye can vary depending on several factors, including whether you have insurance.
Without insurance, an acrylic prosthetic eye and implant may cost between $2,500 and $8,300, excluding the cost of surgery to remove the eye. If a surgical procedure is needed, it can add additional expenses.
Many insurance plans partially cover the cost of prosthetic eyes, but you’ll typically be responsible for a copayment during visits to your ocularist or surgeon.
Caring for Your Prosthetic Eye
Once a prosthetic eye has been fitted, proper care and maintenance are crucial for extending its lifespan and ensuring comfort. This involves regular cleaning and hygiene practices and attending regular checkups with an ocularist.
Cleaning and Hygiene
Keeping the prosthetic eye clean is paramount. It is recommended to clean a prosthetic eye once per month using warm water and mild soap or baby shampoo, ensuring all sides are thoroughly washed.
Follow these steps:
- Rinse the prosthetic eye under warm water.
- Wash it with mild soap if needed.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Dry gently with a soft cloth or tissue before reinsertion.
Avoid alcohol-based cleaners or harsh detergents, as they can damage the prosthetic. In addition to regular cleaning, it’s also important to handle the prosthetic eye with care to avoid damage.
Always ensure to wash your hands with mild soap before handling the prosthetic eye and avoid cleaning products that contain alcohol or solvents.
Regular Checkups
Regular checkups with an ocularist are crucial for maintaining the good condition of the prosthetic eye. These visits allow for professional cleaning that removes stubborn deposits and prevents bacterial infiltration, which can affect the prosthetic eye.
During these checkups, modifications to the prosthetic eye may also be made. These include alterations to the color, size, or fit to ensure that the prosthetic closely resembles natural movements and appearance. In some cases, if necessary, a prosthetic eye can be replaced during a regular checkup.
Potential Complications and Challenges of Prosthetic Eyes
While prosthetic eyes provide great benefits, there can be challenges such as irritation or discomfort. Understanding potential complications can help you manage and maintain your eye effectively.
- Infections and Irritation: Wearing a prosthetic eye can sometimes cause irritation or infection. Regular cleaning and proper care can reduce this risk.
- Sore or Discomfort: If the fit isn’t right, it might cause discomfort. Consult your ocularist for adjustments.
- Psychological Impact: It’s normal to feel self-conscious at first. Support groups or counseling might help with the emotional adjustment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are prosthetic eyes made of?
A prosthetic eye is generally made of hard acrylic plastic, shaped like a shell to match the patient's natural eye. This material is the most common choice for modern prosthetic eyes.
What do people with prosthetic eyes see?
People with bionic eyes (visual prosthesis) can distinguish between light and dark and recognize shapes, but they do not fully restore sight.
These devices provide a “simulation of sight,” requiring users to adapt by retraining their brains to process the visual input. The extent of what they perceive differs significantly from one person to another.
While a normal prosthetic eye does not bring back any vision. Once the natural eye is replaced, the affected eye no longer has the ability to see.
Can prosthetic eyes cry?
Yes, you can still cry with a prosthetic eye, as the eyelids still produce tears.
How often should a prosthetic eye be cleaned?
You should clean your prosthetic eye once per month using warm water and mild soap or baby shampoo. This helps to maintain its hygiene and appearance.
