OCULARISTRY AND PROSTHETIC EYE CLINIC- OPEC

Loosing any body organ, especially eye is an unpleasant situation. It can be psychologically devastating. On the other hand, every human being is blessed with two eyes, where the normal eye functioning is not affected by loosing one eye, so does the brain that compensates for the lost eye. The period of adjustment to normal routine is rather quick. As far as cosmesis is concerned, it is a major issue. Every effort is made by the oculoplastic surgeon to render the patient the most natural appearance in terms of appearance and motility.
OPEC Services offers ocular prosthetic, scleral shells, conformers, ocular implants and facial prosthetics.
 

Ocularistry is the art of creating a natural looking artificial eye in their absence. The custom artificial eye is an impression of an eye fitted to match the normal eye, to make it appear more natural and provide maximum motility and comfort. It snugly fits over the implant and the soft tissue; the motility of the implant is thereby transferred to the back of the artificial eye.

The ocularist carves the artificial eye as an artisan. They are made from the highest grade of medical materials. It involves high technical and creative skills and includes various meticulous steps. Initially the impression of the socket is taken and then the custom ocular prosthesis is hand painted to match the color of the other eye taking into consideration minute details like the pattern of blood vessels. Finally the ocular prosthesis is polished and ensures proper fit and comfort restoring the natural appearance almost matching the normal eye and regaining the self-confidence.
Eye removal may be necessary in the presence of intraocular tumor, after ocular trauma, to control the pain in a blind eye, uncontrolled infection of the eye and to improve cosmesis in a disfigured eye. After removal of the eye, the oculoplastic surgeon replaces the lost volume with appropriate sized spherical implant placed either in the orbit after enucleation or inside the scleral shell after evisceration. Effort is made to attach the muscles to the implant to maximize the motility. Artificial can be placed over a small shrunken eye ball to give natural look and improve cosmesis without surgery.
Frequently prosthetic fitting can be done in one day (24 hours). Occasionally a second visit may be necessary for modification. After the initial fitting, subsequent visits with the ocularist will be in 6 months and yearly thereafter. Prosthetic revisions may be required in children with growing anatomical contour of the eye and face. In adults it may be revised once in 4-5 years.
DO’s
1.Maintain proper hygiene of the socket by cleaning the lids and lashes gently.
2.Wash and rinse hands thoroughly before handling the prosthesis.
3.With the prosthesis in place thoroughly irrigate the socket and prosthesis with irrigating solutions available.
4.Remove the prosthesis once in a month to clean the socket by irrigation.
5.On removal of the prosthesis, clean it with a contact lens cleaner or specific solution available for artificial eyes.
6.After applying 2-3 drops of the solution, rub the prosthesis with fingers to remove any deposits or debris. Thoroughly rinse with luke warm water. Thereafter dry the prosthesis with a soft tissue gently. Examine for residual deposits and repeat washing, residual if any.
DONT’s
1.Do not handle the prosthesis with soiled hands.
2.Do not remove it daily.
3.Do not rub with alchohol.
4.Do not continue wearing the prosthesis in the presence of severe pain, redness and foul smelling discharge (consult the treating ophthalmologist)
•INSERTION OF PROSTHESIS
1.Wash your hands thoroughly and clean with a hand sanitizer.
2.Hold the artificial eye between the thumb and middle finger, with the top of the prosthesis (marked) facing upwards. A suction cup can also be used instead of the fingers.
3.Lift the upper lid with the thumb or a finger of your free hand.
4.Gently slide the top of the prosthesis under the upper eyelid until the upper lid covers about one half of the prosthesis.
5.Avoid rotation of the prosthesis at this step.
6.Hold the prosthesis in this position with the index finger. Now, release the upper lid and with the free hand pull the lower eyelid down upto the lower edge of the artificial prosthesis. Release the lower lid for the prosthesis to fall in place.
Blink the eye 2-3 times for a comfortable fit and adjustment.
•REMOVAL OF PROSTEHSIS
1.Use a suction device for easy removal.
2.Wash your hands and suction cup thoroughly.
3.Moisten the suction cup face with water or sterile saline solution and gently separate the lids wide apart for the placement of the suction cup.
4.Place the suction cup over the iris colour aiming at the centre of the artificial eye. Allow the suction cup to seat itself on the prosthesis with light pressure.
5.Squeeze all the air out of the barrel/ tail of the suction cup and then release. This should enable the suction cup to hold the surface of the prosthesis. The procedure can be repeated for proper and firm hold.
6.After the suction cup is in place, tilt the suction cup and eye upward. Simultaneously pull the lower eyelid down until the lower edge of the artificial eye is visible. Pull the prosthesis forward and downward and the prosthesis will slide out easily.
7.Do not squeeze the suction cup until the prosthesis is completely removed from the socket.
Note: place the prosthesis in a clean case wrapped in soft tissue paper. Do not leave it or allow it to fall on rough surface.
•ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
1.Wearing of protective glasses is mandatory and highly recommended (polycarbonate glasses), which offers considerable protection to the normal eye.
2.Be careful while handling prosthesis in children, to be done only under adult supervision because of risk of swallowing.
3.Close the sink (drain) before you wash the prosthesis.
4.Swimming and water sports are possible, but goggles are recommended. It is advised to remove the prosthesis while diving, water skiing or underwater activities.
5.Lubricating eye drops may be used to keep the surface moist and wet.
6.Polishing
OCULARISTRY AND PROSTHETIC EYE CLINIC SERVICES
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