ARTIFICIAL EYES OF GLASS AND PLASTIC

AND SUGGESTIONS REGARDING THEIR CARE.
Raymond E. Peters, Master Ocularist

Today

We are striving with untiring effort to provide only the finest in artificial eyes in glass and plastic. We shall endeavor to strive for perfection and continue with vigor our research in experimental programs. We are grateful for the support we receive from doctors and their patients, and shall try to justify that support.

The making and fitting of artificial eyes is a highly specialized profession. Those engaged in this work require patience, skill, delicacy of touch and inherent talent for the matching of colors.

Leading Eye Physicians and the Optical Profession recognize that our artificial eye service is quite different from that offered by firms "handling artificial eyes as a sideline." They recommend their patients to us, realizing the fact that we have adhered to this specialized line of endeavor.

Types of Eyes

Artificial eyes are made either of glass or plastic. When worn, both types of eyes look the same, give the same amount of comfort and the same degree of movement. The difference between the two materials is wearing quality, as plastic will give considerably more service.

Also, artificial eyes can be either made to order or fitted from stock. As the name implies, a stock eye is one taken from a drawer and fitted to match the natural eye as closely as possible. While a good result can often be obtained with a stock eye, it is impossible to secure the degree of perfection attainable with custom made eye.

In the fitting of an artificial eye, there are many factors to be considered: the size and shape of the eye, the color size and position of the iris, the size of the pupil, the sclera shade and the amount of veining. These factors vary with each individual, which makes the fitting of a desirable stock eye a problem in some cases. However, our eyemakers, who specialize in the fabricating of custom made eyes, are not subject to the limitations associated with stock fittings as they can design an eye to meet individual requirements.

Glass Eyes

Glass eyes are blown by highly-skilled artisans who require years of experience to master the intricate technique. In making the eye, the technician employs glass of varying degrees of hardness and color. First a bulb is blown of white glass. Then various colors of glass rods are used to obtain the iris portion, which is spun into the glass bulb. The sclera shade (white portion) is secured by using a softer glass blown under a lower flame. In the next step veins are fused into the sclera to resemble the natural eye as closely as possible. Then the eye is molded into its final shape, to suit the individual requirements.

Glass artificial eyes are fragile and the utmost care should be exercised in handling them, especially after they have been worn for some time. The chemical action of the secretions of the socket affect the glass, causing it to become brittle, to roughen, and to discolor. When this happens, the wearer will naturally experience a certain amount of discomfort.

An eye should not be worn after it becomes rough and discolored. In most cases such discoloration and roughness will take place in a glass eye after a year and a half or two years of wear. In rare cases discolorations may appear after a few weeks of wear, depending on the affect of socket secretions.

Occasionally patients experience no discomfort after wearing an eye two years or more, but such cases are exceptional. It is a safe rule to renew the eye as soon as it begins to irritate and cause secretions to form.

Temperature Changes

Sudden changes of temperature or excessive heat may result in cracking a glass eye, or by reason of vacuum, cause an eye to collapse. For this reason, we caution our patients against placing hot towels directly over the artificial eye or cleaning eye in very warm or very cold water.

Occasionally, a glass artificial eye, due to temperature changes or other causes, will crack and the fracture will scarcely be noticeable. The fact that the eye is made with a vacuum tends to draw in the fluids of the socket, which forms a gas and causes the eye to break. In other instances, the eye does not actually break, but the fluid becomes contaminated, omitting a disagreeable odor. Wearers should examine a glass eye occasionally, particularly when irritation develops.

Reserve Eye Desirable

One of the most unfortunate accidents that can happen to the wearer of a glass eye is to drop the eye and break it. Usually, such an accident takes place at the most unexpected and inopportune time. Only the wearer of an artificial eye can realize distress and mental anguish that can result from such a mishap.

For this reason, we recommend that patients, who wear glass eyes, have an extra eye on hand in the event of accidental breakage. This will eliminate the embarrassment caused by being temporarily deprived of an artificial eye.

We can assume no liability for any injury to the wearer through eyes breaking or cracking for any reason whatsoever, nor can we guarantee glass eyes against breakage. However, to prevent breakage, we recommend that the eye be kept in a sanitary condition. This will help to give the eye longer wear, more comfort and a better appearance.

Plastic Artificial Eyes

Our plastic artificial eye is considered the finest ocular prosthesis available today. This plastic eye is the result of several techniques perfected through a series of experiments carried on since 1941. Under our Patent No. 2692391 we believe that we have accomplished the most satisfactory method for duplicating the natural human eye.

According to our technique for making plastic eyes, the iris is hand-painted with oil paints suspended in liquid plastic. Only by hand-painting can "third-dimension" and true colors be reproduced. The conjunctiva, limbus and corneal curvature of a human eye are simulated by our skilled laboratory technicians. The illusion of veins and fatty substance is achieved by using plastic fibers and specially-prepared color pigments.

Plastic artificial eyes will not break, crack or shatter, thus removing forever the fear a patient may have that his artificial eye will break unexpectedly.

While the initial cost of a plastic eye is greater than that of a glass eye, in the long run the wearing of a plastic eye may result in an actual saving, due to the fact that the plastic is unbreakable. This does not mean, however, that a plastic eye need never be replaced. Natural changes in the socket require re-fitting to maintain the best possible cosmetic effect. The appearance of the eye, and its comfort, will indicate to the discriminating wearer when a new prosthesis should be fitted.

In cases of accidents due to chemical burns, gas or explosions, or in cases of deformed sockets or scarred corneas, plastic eyes have a definite advantage. For such cases, the technician can make an impression mold, affording an accuracy of detail, and making possible the fashioning of a plastic eye to minimize cosmetic defects as much as possible.

Proper Care of Artificial Eyes

Most eye physicians are of the opinion that artificial eyes can be worn continually and need only be removed for cleaning purposes. However, the eye physician should be consulted in each particular case.

For cleansing the artificial eye we recommend water and a mild soap, or any prescription that may be recommended by an individual doctor for the purpose of cleaning the eye. In the case of plastic eyes, the use of alcohol or other chemicals should not be employed in washing or cleaning the eye.

Infants and Children

Infants and children require special attention and should have their artificial eyes checked at regular intervals. Usually a larger eye should be fitted each year to induce stretching of the lids and development of the socket. If this is not done, further growth may be restricted and future results impaired.

Details in Fitting

There are so many details to be considered in fitting an artificial eye that too much attention should not be placed on one particular facet. Rather the artificial eye should be judged for its overall effect.

Many wearers insist on the artificial eye being as large as the natural eye. This is not wise since quite often a large eye produces a "stare", giving a very unpleasant effect. A discriminating eye wearer should guard against this possibility. It is better to have an eye a little smaller rather than larger so that the lids may properly cover the eye. Then, instead of attracting attention, the artificial eye will be unnoticed, and the maximum amount of movement will be secured.

It is preferable to be fitted with an eye that produces a pleasing effect rather than one which is an "exact match." By varying the size of the iris or pupil the technician can often obtain a more desirable result. While an exact duplication of the iris color is important, size, shape, position, size of the iris, color of sclera (white portion of the eye) and the veining all combine to produce an effect that is truly life-like.

Correct pupil size for the individual patient is sometimes difficult to determine. The pupil dilates and contracts according to lighting conditions, and for most patients a medium size is the most desirable. However, some wearers have very active pupils with considerable dilation or they have extremely light-colored irises, which drawn attention to the contrast between the pupil size of the artificial eye and the natural eye. For these patients we recommend a "night" eye, which is an extra eye with a larger pupil to be used for night wear.

Helpful Suggestions

It is important to remember that an eye, which appears satisfactory to the wearer, may be an indifferent fit when viewed by the observer. After all, the observer is the one whom you desire to impress and who sees you as you really are. Your expressions when looking in the mirror are entirely different from your expressions when talking. The first are blank but the second are filled with animation, reflections of your ever-changing thoughts as reproduced by your facial muscles. We have occasionally been complimented for putting a "smile" in the artificial eye. The fact is that the wearer by his or her own facial expression puts in "the smile". We simply make it possible for the wearer to do so.

Wearers of artificial eyes should practice facial expressions to make the wearing of an eye as unnoticeable as possible. It is the work of the expert adapting the eye to produce the best cosmetic result possible but it is the outlook and the cooperation of the patient, which will determine if a really pleasing appearance is secured. The expert will strive to produce an effect, making the natural eye predominant, and thus detracting attention from the artificial one.

Although we urge you to study your facial expressions to secure the most pleasing results, we do not encourage self-consciousness. The tendency to self-consciousness should be overcome as soon as possible before it can become a part of your personality. You will find that if you will forget that you are wearing an artificial eye, others will pay no attention to it.

New patients, those who have undergone recent surgery, often feel they will never become accustomed to wearing an artificial eye. Some even believe that their lives are ruined. But, if these individuals could know the many fine and successful eye wearers we have met through the years, they would not feel so depressed. Among our patients we number artists, entertainers, public office holders, working people, mothers and children, who are performing their daily tasks as capable as persons having two natural eyes. The secret of success for you is the same as for all individuals. Concentrate on your assets and good features. Forget your liabilities so that others may do so too.

Several of the following hints may be useful to you in detracting attention from your artificial eye. First of all, do not open your eyes too widely. Learn to contract your lids - learn to smile.

When you want to look in any direction, do not put the entire burden on your eye muscles. Turn your head or your body in the direction where you wish to look. In most cases, an artificial eye will move in unison with the natural eye, if the muscles are intact and if the eye is expertly fitted. However, if you have only limited motility, this fact will not be noticed by the observer if you are careful about facial expressions and will turn your head when looking to the side.

Some persons find that attractive spectacles or eye glasses of the non-shatterable type give a softened effect and make an artificial eye unnoticeable. We do not wish to suggest that all eye wearers be burdened with glasses, if they do not want or need them. However, glasses often help to disguise an artificial eye, and non-shatterable lenses have the additional advantage of protecting the natural eye.

Occasionally, an eye wearer will have an upper lid which is "short" or a lower lid that "sags". Improvement and correction in many cases depend on proper fittings as well as persistent massage or stretching of the lids.

Caution In Wiping Eyes

In wiping your artificial eye, always wipe toward the nose. This will prevent your eye from turning in the socket and assuming an incorrect position. Also, since your artificial eye rests on your lower lid and is supported by this lid, you should use caution when rubbing your lower lid, so that you will dislodge the eye. Never rub the eye vigorously.

The Nature and Care of the Plastic Artificial Eye

The artificial eye, being of an alien nature to the human tissue, causes a discharge in the socket. This in turn necessitates the removal and cleaning of the eye for reasons of comfort, hygiene and cosmetic appearance.

A certain amount of this discharge can be alleviated by the use of a lubricant on the eye. This lubricant is called "Silicone Lubricant for Plastic Artificial Eyes" and is available at our offices. The amount of discharge varies in most cases due to a number of reasons:
1. Sensitivity of the wearer.
2. Ill fitting or rough surfaced eye.
3. Sinus conditions or head colds.

The amount of discharge will determine the frequency of removal and cleaning of the eye.

The easiest and most proven method for removal of the eye is the use of a RUBBER SUCTION CUP available at our offices. The suction cup must first be moistened for use. This is then squeezed and placed against the iris of the artificial eye. The suction cup now in place, depress the lower lid with the forefinger, then twist the eye COUNTER-CLOCKWISE and lift UP and OUT.

The eye socket is now rinsed with an aseptic solution which your Ophthalmologist will advise. An eye cup, atomizer or syringe can be used to disperse the aseptic solution in the eye socket. The artificial eye is cleaned with a mild soap and warm water. The artificial eye is then rinsed carefully, dried and lubricated with the above-mentioned SILICONE solution. The artificial eye is now ready for re-insertion.

The SUCTION CUP is again moistened, squeezed and placed against the artificial eye. The eye is inserted under the upper lid, top first. The "top" of the artificial eye will be shown to you by your attending technician at the time of delivery. (1) Use the forefinger to retract the upper lid, then place the eye under the upper lid and push in as far as possible. (2) Allow the upper lid to fall into place while still holding the eye in position. (3) Using the forefinger, depress the lower lid until the eye is behind both lids. (4) Now release the lower lid and place the forefinger against the eye, holding the eye in place, while removing the suction cup. This is accomplished by squeezing the cup and lifting away.

Any questions or explanations of the above instructions will be given upon request.