FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I care for my ocular prosthesis?
It is important that you take good care of your prosthesis at home and return for your check-up and polishing as recommended by your ocularist.

While an ocular prosthesis helps to improve your appearance, it is important to remember that the primary purpose and function of the prosthesis is to support the soft tissues of the socket, protect the implant, and improve patient comfort. Therefore, it is important that you take good care of your prosthesis at home and return for your check-up and polishing as recommended by your ocularist.

After receiving your prosthesis, you may have some discharge for a few days, which is normal. Keep the surface of the artificial eye clean by removing the discharge with moist cotton swabs, or by flushing it with eye wash solution or water.

The frequency of cleaning will vary for each individual. As a general rule, you should keep the artificial eye in the socket as long as it is not bothering you (unless otherwise directed by your ocularist). Tears and dried mucous can be washed away with an eye wash solution without removing the prosthesis. It needs to be removed and cleaned when irritation or excessive tearing is present. Allergies and colds can affect the amount of discharge. You may need to remove and clean your prosthesis more frequently with these conditions.

If removal is necessary, you should clean your prosthesis with a mild liquid soap or baby shampoo and water. Wash it with your fingers or a soft washcloth and rinse thoroughly. NEVER USE ALCOHOL TO CLEAN YOUR PROSTHETIC EYE. Use of alcohol on the prosthesis can destroy the plastic. Once the prosthesis is removed for cleaning, it can take up to seven (7) days for your body's natural lubricants to coat the surface of the prosthesis with its soothing secretions. During this time you may use artificial tears to reduce the irritation if needed.

Most people wear their prosthesis comfortably with no lubrication needed. However, some may find the use of lubricating eye drops necessary because of dryness. Dryness can occur from changes in temperature, changes of season, wind, allergies, or other medical conditions, such as "dry eye". Artificial tears can be purchased at your local pharmacy. Please call if you have questions about the appropriate lubricant.

If you find it necessary to rub your eye, remember to rub towards your nose. This reduces the likelihood of your prosthesis turning or falling out.

It is recommended that you wear protective eyewear at all times, even if you do not require corrective lenses. The safety lenses will protect your healthy eye, with the added benefit of making the prosthetic eye appear less noticeable.

In order to keep your prosthesis in optimum condition, it needs to be polished regularly by your ocularist. The ocularist will remove built up protein sediment that soap and water cannot remove. Polishing the prosthesis to a high shine results in a more comfortable and natural appearing prosthesis. This should be done twice a year.

If you have any questions concerning your ocular prosthesis or need to purchase any additional supplies (i.e. suction cups), please do not hesitate to call your ocularist. And as always, if you have any changes in your physical condition or general health, consult your physician. The information above is for general information only. Individual treatment may vary in some situations.

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