Artificial Eyes

Custom-made for each individual based on their specific socket requirements and detailed anatomy. We accurately represent every detail to capture the beauty of a natural eye.

close up image of an artificial eye

An ocular prosthesis is fabricated following the surgical removal of an eye. This can occur for various reasons such as ocular melanoma (cancer), disease, infection, trauma etc. No matter the situation that led to your eye loss, we work diligently to recreate an ocular prosthesis to restore the overall shape and appearance. All aspects of the prosthesis are hand made by our staff, in the office. Patients are present for many hours as we construct the prosthesis, ensuring attention to detail and enabling patients to see the prosthesis take form along the way.

Note: If you have NOT had your eye surgically removed, please see Scleral Shell for more info on how we can help.

I would love to extend my gratitude to you and your team for the beautiful, professional service that I had received from the first moment I stepped into your office until the last moment that I got my prosthesis. I am so grateful for all your kindness, support, listening and care.

– H.B.

What to Expect at Your Appointments

1

Consultation
If possible, you can come to one of our clinic locations to meet the team, see photos and have all your questions answered as we go over our detailed process of making a prosthesis with you.

2

Pattern
An impression is taken in the clinic, as well as multiple measurements, colour matching, and the development of the basic shape.

3

Painting Shell
With the prosthesis half made, the details of the eye are painted by hand, regularly placing it back in the socket to check details.

4

Final Fitting
Any final adjustments are made, and we cover regular care and hygiene information, sign the paperwork, and send you out into the world with your new prosthesis.

ocularist in progress hand painting an artificial eye

Ready to get started?

Care & Hygiene

Prosthetic eyes typically stay in the socket for up to two months. After two months, you must remove your prosthesis to clean it. Gently remove your prosthesis, and rub the surface firmly with a soft cloth, liquid soap and water to remove the protein deposit. Once the surface is smooth, please reinsert your prosthesis until it is time to clean again. For detailed instructions, please see the drop-down menus below.

Do not remove your prosthesis too often. Inserting and removing it too frequently rubs against the delicate tissues and creates discharge.

If you experience mild discharge in the morning, simply wet the end of a cotton tip applicator and softly rub it across the front surface of the prosthesis and your eyelids until clean. Often, discharge collects in the inner corner, so twist the Q-Tip, and the discharge should wrap around it. If your discharge persists, worsens or becomes yellow in colour, please see an eye doctor as you may require drops. As a reminder, you need to have your ocular prosthesis polished in our office annually. This will definitely help reduce discharge.

Need to book your yearly check up?

To Insert:
1. Place one finger over your top eyelashes and pull upwards to form a pocket to accommodate the eye.
2. Insert the eye under the top lid with the red dot on the prosthesis facing upwards.
3. While keeping a light, upward motion on the prosthesis, move your hand from the top eyelid to the lower eyelid and gently pull the lower lid down two or three times. The eye will slide into position behind the lids.

To Remove:
1. Wash your hands thoroughly. Open your eyelids with your thumb and forefinger.
2. Squeeze and firmly press a moistened suction cup over the center of the painted iris. Continue pushing backwards and release once in position.
The suction cup will adhere to the prosthesis if done correctly.
3. Look up, pull down on the lower lid and slide the prosthesis out and downwards over the lower lid using a suction cup handle.
OR look up and
depress the lower lid with your forefinger and move the finger away from your nose while pressing backward on the prosthesis. The prosthesis should slide out over the lower lid. Be ready to catch it as it dislodges.

Your ocular prosthesis requires cleaning every two months at home. The best way to clean a prosthetic eye is with a mild liquid dish soap and water. With a wet, soft cloth, rub the entire surface of the prosthesis using firm pressure. A protein deposit builds up on the surface and requires rubbing to remove. When dry, the deposit creates a dull appearance, so rub it with a clean, dry cloth until the lustre is restored.

Ensure the drain stopper is down and the toilet seat is closed when handling it in the washroom, as the prosthesis can become slippery. If you cannot access clean water, please use saline solution or distilled water. We will equip you with suction cups to aid in the removal of the prosthesis. If you require more suction cups, please contact our office, and we will send you some.

 

Typically, your prosthetic eye must be cleaned every two months at home using soap and water, rubbing hard to remove the protein deposits.

You must return to our office once a year for a repolish and evaluation.

Your first prosthesis typically lasts 3+ years.

Generally, an ocular prosthesis lasts between 5-7 years.

Never use any alcohol-based products to clean your eye, as they will crack the acrylic and irritate your socket!

The red dot indicates the “up” position.

Your prosthesis requires a deep clean once a year! You must return to our office annually so we can repolish your prosthesis. This removes all the protein deposits and fine scratches from daily use. If your prosthesis requires any adjustments, please communicate when booking your appointment so we can allow appropriate timing in our schedule. The repolish appointment also allows us to evaluate the fit and cosmesis of your prosthesis and answer any questions you may have.

If you are experiencing dryness with your prostheses, first ensure you have been rubbing firmly while cleaning to remove protein deposits properly. If dryness persists, it may be time for your annual repolish appointment, but if it was polished recently, you may require the use of lubricating drops.

We recommend a gel drop as it is thicker and will alleviate longer. “Systane Gel Drops” are a good drop to start with. “Hylo Gel” or “Hylo Intense” are both very good for extra relief. You can place the drops right over the prosthesis while wearing it, but do not remove your eye too often, as this will create rubbing and discharge. If you have had radiation or your eyelids do not close completely, you may need an ointment for nighttime. We recommend “Refresh Lacrilube,” “Systane nighttime ointment,” and “OcuSoft Lid Scrubs.” Please read the label and use it as directed.

Consultations

Occasionally, before your enucleation or evisceration surgery, we can perform a consultation. At that time, you can meet our team, hear about our process, see before and after photos, and we can answer all your questions. Given the reason for your eye loss, this appointment isn’t always possible or necessary. We encourage you to explore our website as there is a lot of helpful information and photographs if you are unable to have a consultation before surgery.

Cost Coverage

Most BC residents are covered by the Fair Pharmacare Program, and eligibility is income-based. Therefore, coverage for each individual will be different.

Extended Health Care companies may cover a percentage of the balance after accessing any Pharmacare benefits. It is best to contact your extended healthcare provider for clarification. Please note that we can not directly bill any extended healthcare companies at this time.

According to their policies, those with ICBC, WorkSafe, First Nations Health Authority, DVA, and Refugee status are eligible under these individual programs.

Please get in touch with our office if you require further details.

Book a consultation for your artificial eye prosthetic today.