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Caring for your artificial eye may seem daunting initially, but fear not! It's a straightforward process. Simply wipe the prosthetic gently with soap and water for regular cleaning. Occasionally, every 1-3 months, you might need to perform a deeper clean to eliminate protein buildup. Additionally, ensure to cleanse your eyelid area daily and keep the prosthetic moist with artificial tears. Don't forget to schedule visits with your ocularist for polishing every 6-12 months.
Procedures
Taking Out the Prosthesis
Know when it's time to clean your artificial eye. If you experience irritation in your eye socket or eyelid, increased watering, or itching, it's a sign that cleaning is due. However, cleaning frequency varies from person to person, so consult your ocularist for personalized advice.
- Your cleaning routine may range from daily to monthly, or even every few months during professional polishing appointments.
- If you use a conformer, your ocularist will likely recommend cleaning it twice daily.
Tip: Keep track of when you clean your eye by noting it in your calendar. Then, use this information to gauge how frequently you prefer to clean it.
Protect your work area by placing a towel underneath. Cover your countertop, sink, or lap with a soft, thick towel before handling your prosthetic eye. This provides a cushioned surface in case the eye accidentally falls, reducing the risk of damage.
- Although prosthetic eyes are durable, dropping them on a hard surface can still cause chips, cracks, or scratches.
Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water before touching your prosthesis. Prioritize hand hygiene by washing your hands diligently before handling your artificial eye or touching the area around it. This minimizes the likelihood of transferring bacteria, dirt, or other contaminants to your eye socket.
- If soap and water aren't available, use hand sanitizer to clean your hands. However, try to minimize direct contact with your artificial eye whenever possible.
Cleanse your eyelids using saline solution. Dampen a cotton ball or swab with sterile saline solution, such as the type used for contact lenses. Gently wipe across your upper eyelid from the inner corner towards the outer corner, then repeat on the lower eyelid.
- If necessary, use a fresh cotton ball or swab for each wipe to remove any discharge.
- In the absence of saline solution, boil water to sterilize it and allow it to cool before using it for cleansing.
Lower your lower eyelid with one finger. Using your index finger, gently pull down your lower eyelid until the edge of the prosthesis is visible inside your eyelid.
- Ensure you perform this step over the towel to catch any drops.
- Your ocularist will guide you through the process of removing your eye, which becomes easier with practice.
- If you struggle to remove the prosthesis manually, ask your ocularist for a removal tool equipped with a suction cup for easier extraction.
Curve your hand into a C-shape and gently press on your upper eyelid. Position your hand over your eye socket, forming a C-shape, then use your fingertips to apply gentle pressure to the crease of your upper eyelid. This action will allow the prosthesis to slide out and into your cupped hand.
- Seeing some discharge on the prosthesis after removal is normal.
- If you struggle with removal, consider discussing the use of a suction cup tool with your ocularist.
Cleansing Your Prosthesis
- Avoid scented soaps, as residual fragrances may cause irritation to the eyes.
- Stick to mild options like baby shampoo, and refrain from using harsh chemicals, alcohol, detergents, or disinfectants on your prosthesis.
- If unsure about the suitable soap for your artificial eye, seek advice from your ocularist.
Wash the prosthesis with warm water, then thoroughly rinse it. Apply warm water to the prosthesis, ensuring some soap residue remains. Gently massage the soap over the entire surface of the prosthetic eye using your fingers. Rinse the prosthesis under warm running water until all soap traces are gone.
- Keep the prosthesis over the towel throughout the cleaning process.
Rinse the prosthesis once more, this time using saline solution. After eliminating all soap residue, pour saline solution over the prosthesis. This step sterilizes the prosthesis and prepares it for reinsertion.
- If saline solution is unavailable, boiled and cooled water can serve as an alternative.
Elevate your upper eyelid and ease the prosthesis back into position. Tilt your gaze downward and use one fingertip to lift your upper eyelid. Then, smoothly slide the prosthesis beneath your eyelid with an upward motion. Release your eyelid while still holding the prosthesis, then use your other hand to gently lower your lower eyelid. The prosthesis should fit snugly into place.
Give a few blinks once the prosthesis settles. Once you've reinserted the prosthesis, blink a couple of times to ensure comfortable closure of your eye. If discomfort persists, apply gentle pressure to the prosthetic eye and adjust its position.
- If discomfort persists, remove and reinsert your prosthetic eye.
Preserving Your Prosthetic Eye
Use artificial tears to prevent or alleviate eye irritation. Eye drops aid in maintaining moisture in your eye socket and prosthetic eye, and they also help reduce the buildup of proteins on artificial eyes. Your ocularist will likely prescribe specific eye drops and advise you on their frequency of use. Typically, you'll apply these drops 3-4 times daily.
- Immediately after receiving your prosthesis and during eye socket infections, your doctor may prescribe antibiotic eye drops.
Apply lubricating gel or petroleum jelly to your eyelashes before bedtime. Before sleeping, use a cotton swab to apply a small amount of lubricating gel, petroleum jelly, or liquid paraffin along the base of your lashes. This helps prevent the crystallization of overnight discharge.
- Always consult your ocularist before introducing new products to your routine.
- Combining oil lubricant and artificial tears can enhance comfort during wear.
Fun Fact: Typically, it's safe to keep your prosthetic eye in place while you sleep. However, if you wear an eye shell over your natural eye, remove it at night and store the prosthesis in water overnight.
Periodically soak the prosthesis in contact solution to remove protein buildup. Fill a container with contact solution and let the prosthesis soak for approximately 30 minutes. Afterward, wipe the surface with a damp tissue, rinse, and reinsert.
- The proteins in your eye's natural lubricants can accumulate over time, forming a film on the prosthesis.
Schedule regular professional polishing appointments as recommended by your ocularist. During these sessions, scratches on the prosthesis are buffed out, restoring its natural shine. Additionally, your ocularist will assess the health of your eye socket and eyelids, ensuring proper fit.
- Typically, these appointments occur every 1-2 times a year.
Consider replacing the prosthesis every 3-5 years. While a well-maintained prosthesis can last for years, replacements may be necessary due to loss, damage, or changes in fit, particularly for growing children.
- Your ocularist will advise you on when it's time for a replacement.
Notify your ocularist if you experience swelling, eye discomfort, or increased discharge. While minor irritation is common with a prosthetic eye, persistent pain or unusual discharge, especially green or yellow, may indicate an infection requiring prompt attention from your ocularist.
- In case of infection, antibiotic eye drops may be prescribed.
Helpful Tips
Important Warnings
- Always wash your hands with soap and water before touching your prosthesis.
- Be cautious not to accidentally drop your prosthesis while cleaning it.
- Avoid using chemicals, alcohol, detergents, or disinfectants to clean your artificial eye.
- Thoroughly rinse off the soap from your prosthesis after cleaning to prevent eye irritation.
Items You'll Require
Performing a Basic Clean
- Towel
- Saline solution or purified water
- Cotton balls or cotton swabs
- Gentle soap
- Warm water
Proper Care for Your Prosthesis
- Artificial tears
- Lubricating gel or petroleum jelly
- Silicone oil lubricants
- Cotton swab
- Small bowl or container
- Contact solution
- Tissue
