Whether because of an eye disease, eye injury, systemic disease or eye surgery, loss or disfigurement of your eye can be a devastating experience. Fortunately, our eye doctors work with are familiar with the types of prosthetics that can help you look better and, if your affected eye has some vision, see better as well.
Major types of ocular prosthetics we offer include:
Conformer
Conformers are clear shields that cover the eye to protect the socket after surgery, until it heals enough for another, more permanent type of ocular prosthetic. Conformers also prevent the eyelids from losing their form, so they can support a more permanent prosthetic in the future.
Scleral Shell
If your eye becomes disfigured, a scleral shell is often the best full-time way to restore the natural appearance of your eye. The smooth acrylic shell, usually only a few millimeters thick, fits over the top of your existing eye.
A scleral shell is also designed to look just like your other eye.
Prosthetic Eye
A prosthetic eye is used when the entire eye has been destroyed or removed. It’s designed to fit into your eye socket, so it allows your eyelids and tear ducts to function normally and looks as similar as possible to your remaining eye. This allows your eyes to function and look as natural as possible.
Once made, you’ll wear your prosthetic eye for the rest of your life. Taking proper care of it can helpit last for many years.
Orbital Prosthesis
An orbital or maxillofacial prosthesis is necessary when more than just the eye has been removed or destroyed. In these cases, the entire eye socket and parts of the face may have been affected due to disease or injury. These prosthetics are made of silicone that’s shaped to match the eyelids and facial structures around the eye and colored to match the skin around it as closely as possible. Once the orbital prosthesis has been made and fitted, a prosthetic eye is then fit inside.
Ocular Prosthetics For Improving Vision
Ocular prosthetics aren’t just made for looks. If the eye in question is damaged but still functioning, they can also help improve vision.
One common prosthetic that can help improve vision in a damaged eye is an artificial iris. It replaces the natural iris, the colored part of the eye responsible for expanding and restricting the pupil to let more or less light into the eye. The artificial iris is inserted in place of an iris that is mostly or completely gone, to help reduce light sensitivity and provide clearer vision.
It is also common for eye doctors to prescribe prosthetic contact lenses, which can be tailor-made to address specific vision issues. Tinted contact lenses and lenses with a smaller opening in front of the pupil can reduce light sensitivity. Opaque lenses that block the pupil entirely can address double vision, and certain specially-tinted lenses can help relieve color-blindness.
For more information about different types of ocular prosthetics, and how we can help, contact our eye doctors at today!
