Ocular Prosthetics – Precision and Experience Since 1860

F.Ad. Müller Söhne has been manufacturing and custom-fitting glass ocular prostheses since 1860. Our goal is to provide people who have lost an eye with a natural-looking artificial eye that restores their comfort and self-confidence.

The manufacture of prosthetic eyes is a traditional craft with a long history: as early as the 16th century, there were reports of glass eyes being made in Venice. Today, we combine this centuries-old technique with modern precision and custom fitting.

In Germany, until a few decades ago, about one per mille of the population wore an ocular prosthesis—today, that number is declining, as medical advances in diagnosis and surgery are making it possible to save more eyes. In addition, safety measures such as mandatory seat belts in cars, safety glasses at work, and stricter accident prevention regulations have helped significantly reduce the number of accidents resulting in eye injuries. Nevertheless, well-made and carefully fitted ocular prostheses remain indispensable for many patients.

Materials and Manufacturing of Eye Prostheses

High-Quality Glass for Natural Prosthetics
F.Ad. Müller Söhne manufactures glass ocular prostheses. The glass used is inorganic and consists partly of cryolite and partly of crystal glass. These materials have proven themselves over decades, offer the best properties in terms of natural appearance, tolerability, and compatibility , and contain no substances that could irritate or damage the eye’s mucous membrane.

A Perfect Fit and Functional
The ocular prosthesis sits loosely between the upper and lower eyelids. It is not surgically implanted and is not attached to the tissue or muscles. Thanks to the remaining muscles in the eye socket, the prosthesis can move to a certain extent along with the healthy eye. The prosthesis is shaped like a shell. During the customization process, it can be made with either a single or double wall. It weighs between 1.3 and 3.5 grams, ensuring a comfortable fit.

Traditional Materials from Thuringia
The glass material comes from Thuringia, a region with a long tradition of glassmaking. This is where we source the tubes and the base material for the pupil and the iris design. To create the individual iris color, the ocularist mixes the base materials into color sticks that precisely match natural iris colors.

Alternative Plastic Prosthetics
Alternatively, ocular prostheses can also be made of plastic. Our institute specializes exclusively in the traditional manufacture and fitting of glass ocular prostheses. We no longer manufacture plastic eyes.

Here you can see a comparison of the two types of prosthesis.

Manufacture and Customization of the Eye Prosthesis

Custom Fitting for the Patient
The fitting of a glass ocular prosthesis takes place directly during the consultation. The ocularist selects the appropriate eye color and iris pattern from the available blanks and examines the old prosthesis as well as the eye socket to precisely determine the shape and size of the new prosthesis.

Step-by-Step Fabrication of the Prosthesis
At the burner, the manufacturing process begins with the application of a vascular pattern—known as the vascular network—that matches the patient’s healthy eye. The color and detail can be customized.
The prosthesis is then shaped to fit the eye socket. Once it has cooled, the patient can try it on immediately. If any adjustments are necessary, they are made on the spot.

Replacement and Care
Regular replacement of your prosthetic eye is important for comfort and health: Since the material ages and the eye socket changes over time, replacement every 1–2 years is recommended. For patients exposed to harsh environmental conditions, a shorter replacement interval may be advisable. For our youngest patients, we adjust the ocular prosthesis at even shorter intervals to optimally support the natural growth of the eye socket.