Custom Artificial Eye

Patients who come to visit us at The Center for Custom Prosthetics are looking for a quality custom artificial eye, ocular prosthesis. A custom artificial eye is made of the finest quality of acrylic plastic which is the same material used in the dental industry since 1939.

The shape of the eye is individually fitted to each patient to the shape of your eye socket for the best possible comfort, eye movement and life-like appearance. The iris is colored to match your opposing eye exactly, also adding veins to the sclera (the white of the eye) will add realism to the life like appearance. Each custom artificial eye is made individually for that patient, each prosthesis is a unique work of art.

Scleral Shell

The scleral shell is used to cover a blind, unsightly eye that has not otherwise deteriorated to a condition that requires enucleation. Phthisis bulbi, (shrinking of the eye) is a common reason for the fitting of a flush-fitting scleral shell.

Scleral shells are very thin in comparison to a custom artificial eye, because it is being fitted over an existing eye it requires skill and exact fitting for a successful aesthetic result. The highly polished surface allows the eyelids to close smoothly which will improve the comfort for the patient.

A scleral shell is made of the finest quality of acrylic plastic which allows the ocularist to maintain an extreme thinness required for the shell for fit over an existing eye. The shape of the shell has to be individually fitted to each patient to fit over the shape of your eye for the best possible comfort, eye movement and life-like appearance. The iris is colored to match your opposing eye exactly, also adding veins to the sclera (the white of the eye) will add realism to the life like appearance. Each scleral shell is made individually for that patient; each prosthesis is a unique work of art.

A custom fitted scleral shell not only matches the other eye, it usually moves in a synchronous manner with the other eye.

Also to the improved appearance and increased comfort, the custom fitted scleral shell provides a more natural surface for normal lachrimal tear function.

Micro opthalmia

In a lot of cases children are born with a condition called Microphthalmia. Microphthalmia is a congenital condition found in infants, who suffer from an abnormally formed eye or the eye does not form to the full size.

The artificial eye prosthetic procedures in most of these cases are basically the same as that of an adult. However in some cases the socket is not large enough and the child must go through several stages of increases. By increasing conformers every so many months (the exact length between changes will be determined by your ocularist) , we are careful to stretch the socket and thereby stimulate a natural growth rate, so that the area affected on the child will thereby grow at a normal rate. Once the eye gains to an acceptable size then a prosthetic eye is made to fit it.

Most conformers are made from clear plastic but if the socket size has adequate volume, an actual plastic eye prosthesis can be made to match the companion eye. This is very important to children, especially in their formative years, because of the immeasurable benefit that a well crafted prosthetic eye can add to their self image and the comfort of the child's parents.

There are also surgical procedures now available that implant inflatable silicone implants to help to increase the volume of the socket, and other types of implants that will help in the mobility, but it is imperative that the child should be monitored very closely in their growing years in order to conform to the natural size of their remaining eye.

Retinoblastoma

Another condition that a child may be born with is Retinoblastoma. Retinoblastoma is a tumor that can be cancerous and affect the health of the youngster. These tumors are normally removed and when involved in the body of the eye ball, the eye ball is unfortunately, totally removed in order to save the child from further complications.

However, once the surgical procedures have been completed, an ocular prosthesis can be made in just the same way as you would make an artifiical eye prosthesis for a normally fitted enucleated socket.

Treatment and Monitoring

For these young patients who have to undergo treatment for Retinoblastoma or Microphthalmia, it is always recommended that they be examined by their Ophthalmologist or surgeon at least once every six months or once a year. Is it very important that the artificial eye should be adjusted accordingly to compensate for their growth rate.

These two particular maladies can be a harsh blow to a young child, but, with the proper treatment, a well crafted plastic eye prosthesis, and the proper monitoring, a child can play and grow shoulder to shoulder with their peers.

Personalized Irises

Occasionally a patient may request a personalized iris in their custom artificial eye. Previously this has ranged from motorcycles to the United States of America Flag. This service will require consultation with the ocularist prior to visiting the Center for Custom Prosthetics.

Family Pets

Ocular injury is unfortunately a common occurrence in animals. Many kinds of injuries occur, such as eyelid lacerations, proptosis (where the eye is forced out of the eye socket), blunt injury to the eye and/or eyelids, thorn or other foreign body injuries, cat claw injuries, dog bite injuries, lacerations of the cornea, gunshot pellet wounds, and severe head/eye socket injury from being kicked by a horse, or hit by a car. Other injuries can be chemically induced, such as mace sprayed into the eyes, or paint or soap burns of the cornea. Still other injuries can occur secondary to periocular insect or spider bites.

A custom artificial eye can be fitted for your pet and they wear them without any discomfort. Careful cleaning is required due to the animal more likely to get in to dusty areas. Careful observation is required from the owner for any discomfort.

Polishing and Cleaning

You should return to your ocularist for professional cleaning and polishing 2 times each year. Most patients get a new prosthesis every 3 years because even with excellent maintenance, the tissues around the prosthesis can change and the custom artificial eye can absorb body fluids over time.