Apprenticeship
At F.Ad. Müller Söhne in Wiesbaden, ocularists are trained directly in-house. The apprenticeship lasts six years and provides comprehensive knowledge of medical principles, the manual manufacture of glass eyes and the individual fitting of ocular prostheses.
The training is divided into two sections
After the first three years, trainees receive the status of assistant after passing an examination. In the following three years, they deepen their knowledge of iris design, shape fitting, materials science and the fabrication of custom-fit prostheses. At the end, they take the ocularist examination of the German Ocular Society (DOG), which officially confers the title of ocularist.
Tasks of an ocularist
Ocularists are specialists in the manufacture, fitting and care of glass ocular prostheses. They combine precise craftsmanship with medical expertise and artistic sensitivity. Each prosthesis is individually designed so that the color, shape and mobility match the remaining eye perfectly.
Personal requirements
The profession of ocularist requires strong manual skills. At the same time, they care for patients in sensitive situations and act with a great deal of empathy and sensitivity, as the loss of an eye is a drastic experience for many people.
Further information
You can find out more about the job description of an ocularist on the website of the German Ocular Society (DOG): www.dogb.de.
