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Inserting an Artificial Eye
Removing an Artificial Eye
Cleaning an Artificial Eye

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Inserting, Removing and Cleaning Your Artificial Eye

The eye should be taken out once a month and cleaned with a wetted paper towel (see detailed instructions below) to remove any film that may have built up.

This, plus an annual check and professional polish of the prosthesis should be all the maintenance required.

The socket changes quite rapidly during the first year or two following removal of the natural eye.

After that it stabilises somewhat, and subsequent changes are more to do with age and gravity than with shrinkage of the orbital tissues.

The initial prosthesis may therefore need to be replaced after 2 years, while subsequent artificial eyes should
last 8 to 10 years. Children under 18 need more frequent replacements to keep pace with their growth.

It is not uncommon for a mucoid discharge to accompany the wearing of an artificial eye. This is harmless but annoying and affects some patients more than others. The discharge is worse when the eye is not regularly polished or is ill fitting. Patients should avoid air conditioned environments and dusty, dry or windy conditions -
and never use powdered make-up.

For people with monocular vision it is especially important to have the good eye checked every two years by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. It makes good sense to detect and treat eye problems before they become serious. Many conditions that affect the natural eye also affect the socket containing the prosthetic eye, eg the dry eye syndrome.

See also: 

Socket surgery, Tips for glasses   -  see menu at left