Eye maintenances
- Proper care of your eye prosthesis is essential to keep you comfortable, reduce discharge, prevent infection, and extend the life of your prosthesis. With the right routine, maintaining your artificial eye becomes simple and effortless.
How to Remove Your Eye Prosthesis
- Preparation
Before handling your prosthesis, always:
- Wash your hands thoroughly to prevent infection.
- Prepare a safe workspace by placing a soft towel over a basin, table, or countertop. This provides a cushioned landing if the prosthesis slips from your hand.
- Steps to Remove the Prosthesis
- Place one finger on the lower eyelid.
- Look upward.
- Cup your other hand below the eye to catch the prosthesis.
- Press your finger gently inward and pull the lower eyelid toward the ear on the same side.
- The prosthesis should slide over the lower lid and into your cupped hand.
It may feel awkward initially, but removal becomes easier with practice.
If the prosthesis does not come out easily:
- Use a finger from your other hand to gently rotate the prosthesis out of the socket.
- If you still struggle, suction cups are available from your ocularist to assist with removal.
A small amount of discharge on the prosthesis is normal.
- Cleaning Your Eye Prosthesis
- Do
- Wash the prosthesis using mild soap and clean water.
- Ensure all soap is thoroughly rinsed off.
- Rub firmly with a wet tissue.
- Dry with a lint-free cloth or clean tissue.
- Don’t
- Don’t use alcohol or harsh chemical cleaners, as even small residues can irritate or damage the prosthesis.
- Don’t expose your eye to hairspray, perfume, aftershave, or peroxide, which can cause irritation.
Don’t use abrasive materials that can scratch the surface.
- Managing Protein Build-Up
Your natural tears contain protein. As they evaporate, a thin protein film can develop on the prosthesis surface. Over time, this may cause:
- Irritation
- Redness
- Increased discharge
To reduce protein build-up:
- Periodically soak the prosthesis in contact lens solution for a few minutes.
- After soaking, rub it firmly with a wet tissue.
If irritation occurs, artificial tears (available from pharmacies) may provide relief. However, persistent irritation should be assessed by your ocularist, as a professional polish may be required.
- How Often Should You Clean Your Prosthesis?
Cleaning frequency varies between individuals:
- If you wear a scleral shell, you may need to remove it daily or at night.
- For others, minimal handling is best. Many patients comfortably wear their prosthesis for months before cleaning is needed.
- Your eye socket will signal when it’s time — through irritation, increased discharge, or discomfort.
Tip:
Observe how long you can wear your prosthesis comfortably, then plan a cleaning schedule a few days before symptoms usually appear. Regular maintenance prevents irritation and reduces unnecessary handling.
Your ocularist can also send reminder notices when your professional polishing is due.
- When to Call Your Ocularist
Contact your ocularist anytime, especially if you experience:
- Excessive swelling
- Persistent irritation
- Heavy or unusual discharge
- Difficulty removing or inserting the prosthesis
- When to Visit Your Ocularist
Regular reviews are essential to:
- Restore the high polish of your prosthesis
- Assess the health of your eye socket and surrounding tissues
- Ensure proper fit, position, and alignment
- Determine whether more frequent polishing is needed
- When Should You Replace Your Eye Prosthesis?
Over time, changes in your eyelid and socket tissues — as well as natural wear — make replacement necessary.
Recommended replacement interval:
- Every 3 to 5 years for most adults
- More frequently for children, due to ongoing growth and anatomical changes
A worn or ill-fitting prosthesis can cause discomfort, irritation, or cosmetic imbalance, so timely replacement is important.