Frequently Asked Questions

How can I expect my eye to look?

I strive for your eye to look natural, and indistinguishable from your other eye. Your age, type of surgery/implant, and the general condition of your eye socket can make some differences. I’m happy to discuss what you’re hoping for and I can refer you to an NHS service or advise on private options if I believe surgery may achieve more than a new artificial eye. And if you’d like your eye to look a little more fun and unusual, I’d be thrilled to customize your eye any way you’d like.

How do I care for my prosthesis?

The best way to clean your eye is simply with warm water and soap. If you want, you can also soak the eye in saline cleaning solution (similar to what you would use for contacts). Do not use alcohol. Artificial eyes are made out of material that will dissolve if they come into contact with alcohol or any chemical product containing alcohol. Do not soak in boiling water or leave your prosthetic in water as this can cause delamination of the paint layers and make the colour look faded.

If you experience significant protein buildup, which will make your prosthetic feel rough and may cause excess discharge you should see your ocularist for cleaning and polishing.

What is the youngest a child can be fitted?

I fit patients as young as 6 months old. It is important that infants and children be evaluated by an ophthalmologist first and referred to have an artificial eye made if they need it. If children are not fitted with an eye when they need one, they can develop facial asymmetry as they grow.