Caring for your ocular prosthesis
Your ocular prosthesis is designed to last many years with proper care. The better you take care of your eye, the longer it will last.
How to insert your prosthesis
First, wash your hands thoroughly.
Spread a soft towel in front of you to protect the prosthesis in case you drop it. You may want to lubricate the prosthesis with artificial tears to assist in the insertion.
While you insert your prosthesis, keep your gaze downward. This opens up your eye socket to allow the prosthesis to enter more easily.
Lift your upper eyelid with your thumb or forefinger. Holding the prosthesis with your other hand, slide the upper edge up under the eyelid as far as possible.
Release the upper eyelid and then using the same hand, pull down gently on the lower eyelid.
Gently push the lower edge of the prosthesis into the socket, allowing the lower lid to slide up over the bottom edge of the prosthesis.
If you have difficulty in inserting the eye, you may want to use a suction cup. You can get one from your ocularist.
How to remove your prosthesis
Spread a soft towel in front of you.
Gaze upward while you remove the prosthesis to open the socket.
Cup your hand under your eye to catch the eye as it is removed.
Pull down your lower eyelid close to your nose.
Run your forefinger outward along the lower lid while pressing it.
The prosthesis should slide out into your hand.
You will rarely need to remove your prosthesis. After you have adjusted to it, you will only need to remove it occasionally for cleaning.
How to clean your prosthesis
Your prosthetic can be worn day and night. You can wash the prosthesis periodically in or out of the socket. It’s best to leave it in the socket.
To wash the prosthesis while in the socket, use an over-the-counter saline solution. Squeeze drops onto the prosthesis as you would with regular eye drops.
To wash the prosthesis while it is out of the socket, use a mild soap and warm water. Don't use a brush of any sort. This can scratch the surface. Do not use rubbing alcohol. It can destroy the finish.
Take care not to drop your ocular prosthesis. This can chip or scratch the surface, which must be repaired by your ocularist. If you are not wearing your prosthesis for any length of time, store it in plain water.
What to know about prosthesis comfort
When you’re first fitted with your prosthesis, your socket may feel tender. This should subside over time.
In most cases, the glands and tear ducts in your eye will function normally with your prosthesis. You may notice an increase in secretions. This can be caused by wind, head colds, allergies, extreme temperatures, or failure to wash hands thoroughly before handling the prosthesis. When this happens, it’s best to leave the prosthesis alone in the socket unless the secretions begin to build up or irritation occurs, in which case, you should clean it.
If you experience dryness in the eye, artificial tears available at the drug store can be used for comfort.
Sometimes excessive secretions can be caused by scratches or roughness on the surface of the prosthesis. If your socket has changed in any way, the prosthesis may become ill-fitting. This, too, can cause excessive secretions. Your ocularist can remedy these situations by polishing or modifying the prosthesis.
If you suddenly have problems that you can’t fix by cleaning the prosthesis, you can contact us to have it checked. Contact us if you notice sharpness or aching in the socket.
Maintenance
You should have your prosthesis checked at least once a year. During this visit, your eye replacement will be given a high polish to restore its appearance, and the fit will be examined. Also, the socket will be checked for a healthy appearance. These visits usually take round 30 minutes, and are well worth the investment in maintaining your prosthesis.
Daily wear
Your socket will need time to adjust to the presence of a prosthesis. When you first get your prosthesis, you may want to wear it only a few hours a day at first, and slowly increase wear time.
If you are wearing a prosthesis over an existing eye, the process of building up wear time is generally slower. Your ocularist will help you determine what’s best for you.
Your eyelids may fit tightly over the prosthesis at first, making the insertion of the prosthesis more difficult. Over time this should go away as your eyelids adjust.
Be careful with how you wipe or rub your eyes. Always wipe from the outside edge to the inside corner. Wiping the opposite way may cause your prosthesis to fall out.
If you swim, be sure to wear goggles.
Your remaining eye needs to be cared for. You should consider getting a set of safety glasses.