To maintain the appearance, comfort, and functionality of a prosthetic eye, it is vital to care for it properly. Proper care for your eye prosthesis ensures that it remains in good condition, preventing infections and other potential issues.

The following guide will provide care and maintenance tips that are practical and easy to follow. It will also provide suggestions on how to resolve common issues that may impact the condition of your prosthetic eye.

Daily Care Routine

Cleaning Tips

When you keep your prosthetic eye clean, you reduce the chances of developing an infection or suffering from discomfort. To clean your artificial eye correctly, follow these instructions:

1. Before You Start: With warm water and soap, wash your hands thoroughly before you touch your prosthetic eye.
2. Gently Clean: Carefully remove your prosthetic eye from the eye socket and clean it. It is recommended to use the suggested Hard Contact Lens cleaning solution as instructed by your Ocularists, as these solutions are specifically designed to be used with the high grade PMMA acrylic that has been used in the manufacture of your prosthesis. Do not use harsh chemicals as they may cause damage to your artificial eye.
3. Carefully Rinse: Ensure that any residue has been removed by carefully rinsing the prosthetic eye under warm running water. This eliminates potential irritation.
4. Dry the Prosthetic Eye: After rinsing, we recommend you use a Hard Contact Lens Comfort Solution on the front and back surface when replacing your prosthesis as these solutions again are specifically designed to be used with PMMA and they will aid in enhancing the comfort of your prosthesis.

By using recommended cleaning products and following a proper routine for prosthetic eye care, such as ocular lubricants, professional polishing, and clean storage containers (more on these below), you can make the process easier and more effective.

Lubrication

One way to ensure your prosthetic eye does not cause discomfort when wearing it is with lubrication. This is especially noticeable in dry conditions. Your ocularist can recommend ocular lubricants that will keep your eye socket both moist and comfortable. All you need to do is apply a few drops to your prosthetic eye in the eye socket. You can also add drops as needed throughout the day.

Regular Maintenance

Polishing

To maintain a smooth surface on your prosthetic eye, regular polishing is recommended. Polishing also reduces irritation and helps to improve the overall look of the artificial eye. Your ocularist suggests that once every 1-2 years you schedule an appointment for a professional polishing.

When you have your prosthetic eye professionally polished, any buildup of debris is removed, and the shine is restored. This helps the eye feel comfortable when worn and look as natural as possible.

In addition to polishing your prosthetic eye, your ocularist will check both the fit and condition and will make any adjustments. When it is time to consider replacing your current artificial eye with a new one, that will be discussed when the time is right. It is recommended to replace your prosthetic eye every 5 to 7 years.

For professional prosthetic eye polishing services, visit see the James H Morphett Contact page to schedule an appointment.

Addressing Common Issues

Increased Discharge

One of the common issues facing prosthetic eye wearers is an increased discharge from the eye socket. There are many possible causes for this ranging from infection or irritation to a prosthetic eye that does not fit correctly. Ways to manage this include:

• cleaning the artificial eye as advised
• using lubricating drops to the prosthetic eye
• schedule a visit to your ocularist to have the fit and condition of your prosthetic eye examined.

If the situation persists, you may require professional assistance. James H Morphett offers comprehensive aftercare services to address any concerns you might have, so contact our office today.

Handling Damage

What should you do if your prosthetic eye becomes damaged? Do not attempt to repair it yourself. Instead, contact your ocularist as soon as possible to receive a professional repair. Your ocularist has the tools and expertise to perform any corrective measures needed.

If you attempt to repair damage yourself, you risk damaging your artificial eye further. For expert repair services, contact James H. Morphett.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a prosthetic eye last?

You can expect your prosthetic eye to last between 5 and 7 years. This depends on several factors related to care and the condition of your eye socket. Your ocularist will alert you as to when you should be considering a replacement during one of your regular checkups.

Can you see with a prosthetic eye?

A prosthetic eye does not restore vision. Its primary goal is to support the health of the eye socket and to provide the wearer with a natural appearance.

How often should you clean a prosthetic eye?

It is recommended that you clean your artificial eye regularly. Generally that means every 4-6 weeks or as advised by your Ocularist. That is because the more care and attention you give your prosthetic eye, the less likely it will become irritated by a buildup of debris. Regular cleaning restores comfort and keeps your artificial eye hygienic.

Conclusion

Care and maintenance are important in keeping your prosthetic eye looking, feeling, and functioning correctly. When you implement an ongoing cleaning and maintenance schedule, you can keep your artificial eye in good condition, and it will provide you with years of trouble-free use.

For more information regarding prosthetic eyes, click here to see the services offered by James H. Morphett. Our experienced team is dedicated to helping you with all your prosthetic eye care needs.