How to Care for Artificial Eyes
Cleaning
Please do not clean in the bathroom!
Never remove the glass ocular prosthesis over the sink or on hard floors. There is a risk of breakage. Even a sink filled with water does not provide safe protection against glass breakage or loss down the drain.
The Right Place
Sit down at a table. Lay out a soft towel and use a plastic bowl filled with lukewarm water. We strongly advise against using hot or excessively cold water, as extreme temperature fluctuations can compromise the durability of the material. Please also do not use corrosive liquids or hard objects for cleaning.
Washing YourHands
Wash your hands thoroughly before each use.
Removing the eye
Carefully remove the prosthetic eye over the towel and the bowl of water.
Cleaning
The glass artificial eye should be cleaned daily with lukewarm water.
For stubborn dirt
Soak the glass eye in lukewarm water or saline solution for about 10 minutes. Then rinse the prosthesis thoroughly with clean water and dry it with tissue paper.
Insert
Lightly moisten the clean prosthesis to make it easier to insert. Consider the orientation of your ocular prosthesis—usually, the shorter end points toward the nose.
Relax your upper eyelid and lift it with your finger. Gently slide the prosthetic eye under the eyelid from the side and hold it in that position.
Pull down the lower eyelid and let the eye prosthesis slide behind it.
The ocular prosthesis usually settles into the correct position on its own. If necessary, it is recommended that you adjust the fit of your prosthesis by applying gentle, circular pressure with your finger to allow any trapped air to escape.
Removal
You can remove the denture using a special hook or suction device, both of which are available at our clinic.
Press down on the lower eyelid until the lower edge of the denture is exposed.
Slide the tip of your index finger under the lower edge of the prosthesis.
Use your middle finger to grasp the artificial eye and gently pull it downward out of the eye socket.
If you are using a suction cup, gently place the clean suction cup in the center of the prosthesis and gently pull it downward and forward to release it from the lower eyelid.
Storage
As a general rule, the glass artificial eye should be worn day and night.
An exception applies to the very thin bulbar-scleral shell, which is worn over a remaining eyeball: This should generally be removed at night to relieve pressure on the eyeball and allow it to receive oxygen.
It is best to store unused ocular prostheses, after cleaning them, in a small, dry container. The prostheses should not be stored in water for extended periods of time.
Wearing Period
The average wear time for glass ocular prostheses is 12 months ( 4–6 months for growing children).
Wear and Tear
Ocular prostheses wear out naturally over time. In addition to tears, factors contributing to this include the condition of the eye socket and incomplete eyelid closure. If the prosthesis wearer is exposed to harsh environmental conditions such as fine dust—for example, in agriculture, as a baker, or as a carpenter—the prosthesis’s lifespan may be shortened.
An increased flow of tears may be the first sign that a replacement is needed. If the prosthesis is not replaced in a timely manner, this can lead to significant discomfort.
Protection for Both Eyes
A smooth, clean prosthesis prevents inflammation. It protects the sensitive tissue and ensures that your healthy eye feels completely comfortable as well.