Custom made ocular prosthesis is also known as an artificial eye, is an acrylic prosthesis used when an eye is surgically removed threw Evisceration or Enucleation. During surgery, a ball & flower implant inserted into the eye socket to fill the area the eye once occupied. An ocular prosthesis is then molded to fit in front of the implant. It occupies the space between the eyelids and the skin (conjunctiva) covering the implant.
The ocular prosthesis is normally made four to six weeks after surgery in order to allow the socket tissues to heal adequately. Prior to that time, a thin plastic plate, called a conformer, is sometimes worn in place of the prosthesis. This prevents shrinkage of the tissue and helps to prepare the socket for ocular placement.
Until the ocular prosthesis is fitted, the upper eyelid can be droopy in appearance. The prosthesis will help support the eyelid and allow the lids to open and close normally.
In fitting of the artificial eye, ocularist begins taking impression with soft alginate material of the surgically repaired eye socket. This process lays the foundation for finest comfort, appearance and motility of the eye. After taking impression first laboratory process begins which will be used as a foundation for final shape. Next process is iris painting. The iris is hand painted onto a slightly curved plastic disc. High quality acrylic paint are used to maximize the three dimensional effect, creating a more realistic appearance. As many coats of paints are used to create all the striations of color found in human iris. Once dry, the colored iris is then fused into white acrylic. Tiny red fibers are lined onto the surface of the eye (sclera) to simulate the vein pattern in the retained eye. Scleral tones ranging from pink, gray blue and yellow are the added to ensure the artificial eye matches the retained eye. Finally, the entire eye is covered with a thin layer of clear plastic which soothes the surface, seals in the veins and gives the appearance of a corneal dome found on the human eye. Once cured, the eye is polished and then final fitting of the eye takes place.