Frequently Asked Questions
I am scheduled for surgery to remove my eye. When should I have my ocular prosthesis fitting?
The ocular prosthesis fitting should start 4-6 weeks post-op, pending approval from the referring surgeon. We evaluate your fitting process on an individual basis to provide the best outcome. Contact our office to schedule a consultation.
My child has had their eye removed. Can we come to the office to get to know you before having their new prosthesis made?
Of course. We can schedule a relaxed in-office consultation to begin this process. Actually, we encourage it for the benefit of the family as a whole.
My baby was born with a tiny eye (or no eye), and has no vision. When should I schedule an appointment?
Contact us as soon as possible. A conformer will stimulate the growth of your child’s orbit, aiding in anatomical symmetry and eyelid position. Please visit the International Children's Anophthalmia Network (ican) website for more information on questions you may have.
I have lost my vision, and my eye is shrunken and looks cloudy. Can I wear a prosthesis?
We make scleral shell prostheses for these conditions. The scleral shell prosthesis is a cover shell fit over the blind, disfigured eye. The scleral shell prosthesis can be very thin, or be near to the thickness of an ocular prosthesis.
I’m nervous about my appointment. What can I expect?
We will begin by discussing the history of your eye. This allows a clearer understanding of your situation and can assist in the fabrication process. We will talk about the process of making your prosthesis, so that you are fully informed about the next steps. Your comfort is a priority!
Does the impression hurt?
The process should not be painful. The impression material is made from an alginate, which flows as a thick liquid and sets in about one minute. Before taking the impression, the eye socket is thoroughly examined for any ‘problem areas,’ and is irrigated with eyewash and a soothing eye drop. After the material is gently removed, the eye socket is again rinsed and eye drops are reapplied to maintain comfort.
What if there is a ‘problem area’ in my socket?
If we see an area of concern, pending severity, you will be referred back to your eye doctor for further evaluation and treatment. We value your health, safety, comfort, and working in conjunction with our referring eye doctors as a team in providing you with ideal results.
Where is the ocular prosthesis made?
Onsite, in our fabrication lab.
How long does it take to make the prosthesis?
The ocular prosthesis can be made in a one-day series of appointments, on an individual case basis.
Will my ocular prosthesis be made from glass?
Our process uses a heat-cured PMMA- a bio-inert acrylic- to fabricate the artificial eye.
Will my prosthesis move?
Most ocular prostheses move synchronously with the fellow eye. The impression and fitting process captures this movement. Individual results may vary depending on the history and condition of the eye socket.
Will I be able to see out of the prosthesis?
No. The prosthesis is made of acrylic and does not restore vision.
I feel like I can see better with my remaining eye while wearing my prosthesis. Is this normal?
A number of patients have reported that they feel that they do not have to unnecessarily strain their sighted eye while having an ocular prosthesis in the fellow socket. This can be explained by a well-fitting prosthesis providing adequate volume to allow proper lid positioning, and the sighted eye does not have to 'over-compensate.'
Is the ocular prosthesis permanent?
The prosthesis is not permanent, as this would be detrimental to socket health. The artificial eye is held in place behind the eyelids. You can remove the prosthesis to clean at home, and we will teach you how to do this at your appointment. Some wearers of a prosthesis do not remove their artificial eye between routine cleanings at their ocularist’s office. However, this depends on your individual case, and it is important to know how to remove and reinsert the prosthesis.
When will I need to have a new prosthetic eye made?
Typically, the adult wearer should have their acrylic ocular prosthesis replaced every 5-7 years based on normal anatomical changes over time, and to maintain the health of the eye socket. Sooner replacement is required due to when the existing prosthesis is malfit or damaged, exceptional socket change has resulted from orbital surgery, volume changes to a phthisical eye, or weight loss/gain.
Children require more frequent adjustments and replacements of their artificial eye due to growth.
How do I clean my prosthetic eye at home?
Using an approved gentle soap- never a harsh solution such as rubbing alcohol. Alcohol damages the acrylic. Be careful to not 'overclean' the prosthesis as this can cause a foreign body reaction (irritation, excess discharge). Get in touch with our office for more information.
Can I use lubricant or rewetting drops on the prosthesis?
Yes, we can recommend a preservative-free drop. Please do not use Visine!
How often will I need my prosthesis polished?
We recommend visiting your ocularist every 6 months to one year for professional cleaning and polishing of the prosthesis. Not only are protein deposits removed, any small scratches are carefully buffed away. The eye socket and fit of the prosthesis are also evaluated.
I just had my ocular prosthesis polished. Why am I having extra discharge?
It can happen that after a normal polish, your eye socket may have a temporary foreign body reaction to your freshly-cleaned prosthesis- especially if you don’t remove the prosthesis often at home. Use eyewash to flush the eye socket with the prosthesis in place, and give us a call.
I think there is an infection in my eye socket. Can I still come in for a routine polish?
If you are experiencing pain, excessive redness, swelling, or atypical discharge (dark yellow/green tinged), contact your eye doctor for treatment before your routine polish.
I’m a snowbird. Can I schedule an appointment for a polish?
Absolutely! We are happy to polish your prosthesis during your stay in sunny Florida.
My previous ocularist made my old eye differently. Why?
There are different methods used to make an artificial eye. An ocularist’s technique is based on different factors, including their training, experience, and continuing education.
Do you love your job?
I do. Ocularistry has been a part of my life since I was a child. Restoring people’s confidence is an incredible privilege, and this profession allows me to harness my own creative talents to provide care for others in a unique setting.
I recognize that your eye loss may have been traumatic, and I am here to help you in this part of your journey to your ‘new normal.’
Healing not only takes place in the orbit, but in the heart and mind as well. Grief or feelings of guilt are not abnormal. I do encourage my patients to seek support groups and individual counseling on their own terms.
Did you go to school to learn how to make prosthetic eyes?
I earned my bachelor’s degree before beginning a 10,000 hour (5 year) apprenticeship under an approved sponsor- a Board Approved Diplomate Ocularist- through the American Society of Ocularists (ASO). I am now a Board Approved Diplomate Ocularist (BADO) myself. Please visit www.ocularist.org for more information if you are curious about an internship.
Is this a licensed profession?
The state of Florida does not require a professional license in ocularistry, but other states do. I am Board Certified by the National Examining Board of Ocularists, an internationally recognized organization which provides the standard used as a measure of competence in ocularistry. Through completion of my apprenticeship, I was qualified to take the two-part certification exam and am a Board Certified Ocularist (BCO). For more information, please visit www.neboboard.org.
Do you make ‘fun’ eyes?
Yes! Please contact our office for more information. Note that we have the right to refuse any design containing profanity, offensive imagery, or unapproved materials.