Prosthetic eyes are a popular cosmetic choice for those who have unfortunately lost an eye due to injury or disease. These prosthetics are, of course, not real eyes but rather shells that are placed over the eye socket. For those who have lost an eye, the prosthetic eye fitting process can be a life-enhancing procedure that allows them to maintain a more comfortable image after the loss of a body part. If you are curious about prosthetic eyes and eye socket surgery, take a look at this overview that describes the prosthetic eye fitting process.
What is a Prosthetic Eye?
A prosthetic eye is a fake eye made of synthetic materials. Individuals who have lost an eye through traumatic eye injury, illness, or other means typically obtain them. Prosthetic eyes have been present for hundreds of years throughout multiple civilizations.
The Prosthetic Eye Fitting Process
The process for installing Prosthetic eyes begins with removing the damaged natural eye. This part of the process is usually done under local anesthesia, although general anesthesia may be utilized in particular situations. There are two primary methods for removing a damaged eye, which are outlined below:
- Evisceration: An evisceration removes the contents of the eye and the cornea. It keeps certain undamaged sections of the eye—like the sclera and the whites of the eyes, for example—in place.
- Enucleation: This procedure removes the entire eyeball from the eye socket. The muscles that control eye movement are left in place and later attached to the prosthetic eye.
After the damaged eye is removed, the eye socket is kept covered and is left to heal. The healing of the eye socket can take some time to complete—months in some cases—but the socket must be allowed to fully heal before it is disturbed with a prosthetic eye. Once the eye socket has completely healed, it should be ready to receive the prosthetic eye.
Your doctor will create wax impressions of the front of the eye socket so that the prosthetic eye matches the appearance of your natural eye. After the eye installation, your physician will schedule a series of follow-up appointments to confirm the success of the procedure.
In addition, the natural muscles and components of the eye socket may continue to morph and change. Your physician will observe whether these changes will impact the results of your procedure.
Recovering from Eye Removal Surgery and Prosthetic Eye Installation
One of the most crucial periods of the prosthetic installation process is the recovery period between the removal of your natural eye and the installation of your prosthetic eye. This is arguably the most crucial part of the recovery period, as your actions at this time may impact your overall results the most.
You should follow any directions that your physician gives you for this period as closely as you can, including taking any antibiotics or other medicine that they prescribe as scheduled.
In terms of the prosthetic installation itself, most patients will experience a rapid recovery and be able to return home the same day.
Can Prosthetic Eyes Move?
One common question that many patients have with regard to receiving a prosthetic eye is whether or not these fixtures are able to move in a way that imitates a natural eye. In the past, this answer was no. However, nowadays, there are multiple answers to this question, as some prosthetic eyes that are composed of porous materials will bond with the blood vessels and nerves of the eyes, allowing for some movement.
There are limits to the level of realism that a prosthetic eye can mimic, even in the modern area. For example, the pupil of an artificial eye will not dilate with changes in light. This means that individuals with a prosthetic eye will not always have matching pupils.
Benefits of a Prosthetic Eye
The primary benefit of a prosthetic eye is that patients with a lost or damaged eye can have a more normal presentation. Prosthetic eyes remain the primary method of replacing natural eyes. Some of the primary benefits of receiving this type of work include:
- Modern prosthetic eyes are realistic enough that most will not be able to tell that the eye is artificial
- Installing a prosthetic eye can help prevent further changes in the eye socket and the surrounding facial areas
If you have lost an eye, there is almost no reason not to pursue installing a prosthetic eye, as modern medicine has made them almost indistinguishable from a natural eye for most observers.
Cons of a Prosthetic Eye
There are challenges that come with the prosthetic eye installation process. You should take the following into consideration if you have interest in the procedure:
- It can take some time to become fully adjusted to your new prosthetic eye. In general, they tend to become more comfortable over time. However, scratches on the surface of the eye can irritate the eyelids. Taking great care not to damage your prosthetic eye can help prevent the need to pursue additional medical work down the line.
- Because of the inherent risk associated with installing a prosthetic, you may have to undergo additional surgery to help your body adjust to the prosthetic.
- Your doctor may suggest that you wear eyeglasses following your procedure to protect your prosthetic eye.
Although installing a prosthetic eye is not a very taxing medical process, sometimes removing a damaged natural eye can be more involved. You should discuss with your doctor whether or not you have medical conditions that could interfere with your ability to heal from either phase of the procedure.
How Long Does a Prosthetic Eye Last?
Prosthetic eyes are durable and can last for many years if treated correctly. Your physician will provide you with an overview of the things you can do to try to extend its lifespan following its installation.
One of the main benefits of a prosthetic eye is that, after successful installation, a patient can wear it day and night without ever having to remove it. That said, you should occasionally remove your prosthetic eye to clean it here and there. Visit an ocularist for professional prosthetic eye cleaning approximately once every 6 months.
Also available for patients are stock prostheses, which are mass-produced artificial eyes that are not matched to the unique qualities of an individual’s eyes. These eyes are typically more affordable but do not look as realistic because of their cheaper component materials. Most physicians will recommend against receiving this type of artificial eye.
Adjusting to Life with an Artificial Eye
It can take some time for a patient to adjust fully to their new prosthetic eye. Part of this process is dealing with the physical and emotional trauma of losing one’s natural eye. Some patients may benefit from joining a support group or receiving counseling to deal with the reality of their new situation.
On a purely practical level, it may take patients some time to adjust to the daily sensation of their prosthetic eye. In addition, getting into a consistent schedule of completing the necessary semi-regular prosthetic cleanings—to keep the eye in pristine condition—can also require some patience.
Enhancing the Appearance of a Prosthetic Eye
The installation of a prosthetic eye has the potential to appear natural and realistic by today’s standards. However, sometimes, complementary surgeries and treatments can enhance the procedure and help it appear even more natural.
Some of the surgeries that may come recommended are contingent on the scale and nature of the reason that you had your eye removed in the first place. For example, widespread traumatic impact on the face that resulted in the loss of an eye will necessarily involve other types of surgery to restore the appearance of a patient to a somewhat normal state.
Your physician will discuss with you prior to your prosthetic eye installation any complementary surgeries that they might recommend to enhance your results. Sometimes, multiple surgeries will require you to receive additional medical evaluation to determine your physical fitness to receive treatment.
Replacing a Prosthetic Eye
Prosthetic eyes last for several years without the need for replacement. However, at some point, you will need to replace yours, both for changes that occur in the implant itself and for the natural changes that occur in the eye socket and surrounding area.
You should stay alert for some of the following signs that your prosthetic eye may need replacement:
- Changes in the appearance of the prosthetic
- Sagging eyelids
- Frequent infections in the eye socket
- Dryness that lubricating drops do not relieve
- Drainage from the eye socket
Your physician will alert you to whether you need to have your prosthetic replaced in one of your periodic professional cleanings. This is also your chance to discuss any concerns you have in general.
The Best Oculoplastic Surgeon in Beverly Hills
Dr. Taban is an award-winning oculoplastic surgeon in Beverly Hills. If you are curious about the prosthetic eye fitting process and would like to look into whether you could benefit from it, contact Dr. Taban’s office today to set up an appointment.