Procedures
FIRST VISIT
Your initial visit will be a complimentary consultation with Mr. Johnson, to acquire and access the previous history of your eye and the condition of your orbital socket. If this is your first prosthetic eye you will most likely be fitted with a temporary prosthesis to wear until your custom piece is complete.
If a new prosthesis is required, the fitting process may begin immediately. Various prosthetic shapes will be inserted and any necessary adjustments will be made to the fit. If you are already wearing an eye, we generally use your current prosthesis for fitting purposes because it is the shape that your socket has conformed to.Then if necessary a modified impression of your orbital socket will be taken to ensure we have a 3D outline to create you custom conformer (shape).
SECOND VISIT
Mr. Johnson will insert your custom conformer and make all necessary adjustments for proper fit and comfort. He will then align and locate your iris and pupil. Lastly, he will paint your iris to match your existing eye or your preferred choice of color and then take samples of your limbus, sclera, and veins.
THIRD VISIT
Your new custom prosthesis will be complete on your third appointment. Mr. Johnson will insert and make any additional adjustments to the eye in order to meet and satisfy your expectations.
ONE MONTH FOLLOW-UP
A one month follow-up visit is scheduled to reevaluate the fit and comfort of your new prosthesis. We then establish a maintenance program in which every four to six months polishing and evaluation of the eye as well as the condition of the orbital socket takes place.
Prosthetic eyes generally have a lifespan between three to five years for adults and two to three for children, or as medically needed. The acrylic of which the prosthesis is made, may become porous leading to infections. Insurance companies and Medicare allow for a prosthesis to be replaced even sooner if your physician determines that there are anatomical changes to your eye socket. Lid surgery may also cause a change to the fit of the prosthesis making it necessary for a possible reduction or enlargement.
Children need proper monitoring of their socket in order to maintain symmetry and enhance socket expansion. Regular enlargements of the prosthesis are required to promote orbital growth. Depending on the age of a child, they should visit an Ocularist between two to four times a year.
Prosthetic eyes generally have a lifespan between three to five years for adults and two to three for children, or as medically needed. The acrylic of which the prosthesis is made, may become porous leading to infections. Insurance companies and Medicare allow for a prosthesis to be replaced even sooner if your physician determines that there are anatomical changes to your eye socket. Lid surgery may also cause a change to the fit of the prosthesis making it necessary for a possible reduction or enlargement.
Children need proper monitoring of their socket in order to maintain symmetry and enhance socket expansion. Regular enlargements of the prosthesis are required to promote orbital growth. Depending on the age of a child, they should visit an Ocularist between two to four times a year.