All About Different Prosthetic Eye Fitting Methods

Your eyes allow you to soak the beauty all around while adding to your appearance. But not everyone is as fortunate as you. The prosthetic eye fitting can be the ideal solution for many of them. Yes, artificial eyes cannot restore your vision. But, these tools can restore the appearance of a blind patient and also save lives.

But, when it comes to prosthetic fitting, there is a lot of confusion and misinformation among the masses. In the following paragraphs, we will try to address those and demystify prosthetic eye fittings for you.

When Do You Need Prosthetic Eye Fitting?

So, let us start with the most basic question about when an individual needs an eye implant? The essential purpose of artificial eye fitting is to protect your appearance after you lose one eye to injury, glaucoma, infection, cancer, etc.

The doctor first removes the damaged eye through the process of enucleation. Then the muscles controlling the natural eye are attached to the artificial eye. Although you cannot see through the fake eye, connecting the muscles allows you to move it in the desired direction.

After the surgery, the doctor first places a conformer under your eyelids to maintain the rounded shape. After you fully recover from the procedure, the doctor will use the prosthetic eye fittings to replace the conformer.

What are Prosthetic Eye Fittings Made of?

Many people have a false impression of artificial eyes being made using glass. However, in reality, acrylic fiber is used to make artificial eyes. In fact, unlike what people think, the eyes aren’t round either.

The ocularist rounds only the visible portion of the artificial eye. Ocularists are talented technicians familiar with the technical aspects of fitting the artificial eye. They are also gifted artists who make the eyes look lifelike. Every eye they design is unique and custom-made to complement a person’s facial features.

What are The Methods of Fitting Artificial Eyes?

If you have ever wondered about the method your ocularist will follow to fit your artificial eye, this section is for you. A variety of factors determine the fitting process that your ocularist will choose to fit the artificial eye.

Some of the factors that the ocularist will consider while choosing a method are the eye socket’s anatomy, any eye implant history, surgical eye history, etc. The two different ways are-

Empirical fitting method– Also known as the experienced observation technique, the technique is widely used for fixing irregularities with the eye. The uniquely designed shapes are perfect for correcting anomalies and modifying the eyelid’s position to a cosmetically pleasing place.
Modified Impression– In this method, alginate is added to the empirical equation of fitting. A prefabricated prosthesis is used for fitting comfortably in your socket and taking an impression of the socket. The impression then helps in making the correct adjustments to the prostheses.

How Can I Clean My Ocular Implant?

By regularly cleaning your custom prosthetic eyes, you can maintain their comfortability. In most cases, cleaning the artificial eyes once every three weeks will suffice. But the cleaning schedule can vary and will differ on a case-to-case basis depending upon the user’s comfort level.

Besides, while cleaning, do not forget to follow these steps and preventive measures-

Before removing your artificial eye, wash your hands thoroughly. Germs or fine dust in your hand can lead to irritation, infection, and tissue damage in your eye socket.
The only tools you will need for cleaning the eye are your fingers. For cleaning, hold the artificial eye fitting under a stream of warm water and rub it with your fingers.
Usually, you will not need soap for cleaning your artificial eye. But, if the need arises, make sure to use the mildest soap to prevent irritation.
After cleaning, use a tissue or a soft cloth for drying the eye before reinserting it.
Regular cleaning can prevent the accumulation of debris and protein deposits in your artificial eyes and make it comfortable to keep wearing them. But, you will need to occasionally visit the ocularist for thorough cleaning of the prosthetic fitting for your eye.
Professional cleaning by the ocularist can help prevent bacterial infiltration and help remove stubborn deposits.
The American Society of Ocularists advises every adult to visit the ocularist at least once a year. On the other hand, the advisory for children recommends a visit once every three months.

How to Enhance the Comfort Quotient While Wearing Prosthetic Eye Fittings?

Many users complain of irritation or dryness while using artificial eyes. You can get rid of these issues by using lubricating eye drops. You can spread the drop along the surface of the prosthesis fitting for relief.

Final Word

The above paragraphs have covered many topics related to prosthetic eye fittings, including their usage, make, fitting method, cleaning procedure, etc. Feel free to connect if you want to know more or are curious about a particular issue relating to artificial eyes.