Eyes For Children

Each prosthetic eye is custom-made for the child’s unique requirements, ensuring comfort and a natural appearance.

Everyone who walks through our door has been through some traumatic experience; unfortunately, this sometimes includes children. Whatever circumstances have brought your child here, we help them transition to monocular life. We create a safe and reassuring environment for the whole family and answer any questions. Once we have completed our process, your child will have a new prosthesis that helps them feel like themselves again, and you will know how to help them care for it and teach them to care for it them selves one day.

close up image of a boy with a prosthetic eye

Microphthalmia and Anophthalmia

Your child may have been diagnosed with Microphthalmia or Anophthalmia, which is a small, underdeveloped eye or the absence of any ocular anatomy typically occurring unilaterally. Depending on your unique circumstance we can begin working with your child by the use of expansion conformer therapy.

Conformers are a clear, custom device that are sized at specific intervals to stimulate growth of the bony orbit and expand the socket to accommodate an ocular prosthesis (similar to how braces move teeth). This process is done over multiple months so it does not overly force anatomy but allows for growth to take place over time. The earlier we begin this process, the better outcomes of symmetry. Once the socket has adequate volume, we can then create the custom ocular prosthesis for your child.

Due to the uniqueness of each case, and the amount of detail involved with the process, please come for a consultation (or telehealth video consultation) so we can meet your family, and walk you through our approach. Please ensure your child has been seen by a pediatric ophthalmologist for testing of both eyes before beginning your journey with us.

We have previously joined with BC Children’s Hospital to create this guidebook of one family’s journey with microphthalmia, expansion conformers, and the fabrication of her ocular prosthesis with us. Click here to access “Maya’s Special Eye” book.

Retinoblastoma

There is a specific type of cancer that can affect children in the eyes, called Retinoblastoma. Often, this is found by noticing a white area or reflection in the pupil of an eye. We work very closely with the ocular oncologist at the Vancouver Eye Care Centre and work as a team to care for your child.

If your child has undergone an enucleation, we will see them 6-8 weeks following surgery to begin the process of fabricating their ocular prosthesis. Most of this process is done in the office, however, depending on the age of your child we may be able to begin the treatment if they are in the OR under anesthetic for an evaluation. This can speed up the process, and can be more comfortable than taking an impression clinically. Please contact our office for a consultation so we can discuss our process and guide you through what this process will look like.

Please see our resource page for links to support groups, articles and other pages that can get you in touch with a community of people who have been through something similar. You are not alone.

Marie, Heather and Liz were wonderful to meet. They were sensitive, informative and clear about the process ahead of us. I am amazed by what the team here has been able to do. When meeting people, I have full confidence that her micro eye is not something they notice – they just see her smile! We can’t thank Marie, Heather and Liz for what they’ve done. We’re so happy to be working with them for the years to come.

– Family of child with Microphthalmia

What to Expect at Your Childs Appointments

1

Consultation
We’ll guide you through our process step by step, starting with a review of your medical history and an evaluation of the globe and socket. We’ll also provide photos and examples for reference while answering any questions you may have.

2

Pattern
An impression is taken in the clinic or at BC Children’s Hospital, 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.

5

Final Fitting
Any final adjustments are made, and we cover regular care and hygiene information, sign the paperwork, and send celebrate your child’s new prosthesis.

6

Follow Ups
Your child’s prosthesis requires a repolish once per year, but you can also schedule an appointment for minor fitting adjustments or check-ins. As your child grows additions and adjustments to the prosthesis will be required.

Ocularists holding a baby that has just been fitted with her prosthetic 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 the prosthesis to clean it. Gently remove the 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 the prosthesis until it is time to clean again. For detailed instructions, please see the drop-down menus below.

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

If your child experiences mild discharge in the morning, simply wet the end of a cotton tip applicator or a soft cloth and softly rub it across the front surface of the prosthesis and the eyelids until clean. Often, discharge collects in the inner corner, so twist the Q-Tip, and the discharge should wrap around it. If the discharge persists, worsens or becomes yellow in colour, please see an eye doctor as you may require drops. Please note that the prosthesis requires polishing in our office annually.

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.

Generally, a child’s prosthesis will last 3+ years with adjustments and additions along the way

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.

As Your Child Grows 

Because children are constantly growing, the prosthesis will require adjustments and additions to accommodate the growth. We ask parents or loved ones to monitor the fit of the prosthesis and check for any visible gaps at the inner or outer corner and if the prosthesis is rotating in the socket or dislodging. These are indicators that the child has grown, and the socket has as well, meaning the prosthesis is now too small. We can make adjustments and enlargements to extend the life of the prosthesis. Once we can make no further adjustments, we must fabricate a whole new prosthesis to get an updated fit. Typically, a prosthesis for an infant or child will last 3+ years, with additions in between. Older children may be able to get 3-5 years out of their prosthesis

clock and certificate certificates on the wall of an examination room

Consultations

If you are considering an artificial eye for your child, we invite you to schedule a complimentary consultation. During this meeting, you will have the opportunity to meet our team, learn about our detailed process, view example prostheses, and receive a personalized assessment to determine if your child is a suitable candidate.

We understand the sensitive and complex nature of pediatric ocular prosthetics, and our goal is to set realistic expectations while discussing any potential limitations. If we determine that your child is not a candidate for our services, we will do our best to guide you toward alternative options or specialists who may better suit your needs.

A consultation is simply an opportunity to gather information and does not obligate you to proceed. While our clinic locations are based in the Lower Mainland, we proudly serve families throughout BC and the Yukon, and we offer telehealth video consultations for your convenience.

Cost Coverage

Most residents of BC fall under 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 any Pharmacare benefits have been accessed. It is best to contact your extended health care provider for clarification. Please note, we can not direct bill any extended health care companies at this time.

Those with ICBC, WorkSafe, First Nations, DVA, and Refugee status are eligible under these individual programs respective to their policies.

Please contact our office if you require further details.

Book a consultation for your child today.