Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Ocular Prosthetic? 

Commonly known as a glass eye, a fake eye or an artificial eye; an ocular prosthetic is a custom-made prosthesis designed to replace a missing, underdeveloped or damaged eye.

What is an Ocular Prosthetic made of?

At Kind Eyes Prosthetics, we make our prosthetics out of an acrylic polymer called polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). PMMA is a strong and durable medical-grade plastic that is used in a variety of medical applications, including intraocular lenses, orthopaedic implants and dentures. PMMA is a strong, tough, and lightweight biocompatible material that is well-tolerated by the body, making it a safe and effective choice for ocular prosthetics. 

While some countries still make prosthetics out of cryolite glass, the majority are made with a more modern technique using acrylic. In the UK, glass is only used in the very rare instances of acrylic allergy.

Who needs an Ocular Prosthetic? 

While ocular prosthetics could be considered by some as purely aesthetic, these medical devices are considered a vital and life-changing necessity for many who wear them. While aesthetics are a significant aspect of ocular prosthetics, it's important to recognize that they offer multifaceted benefits that extend beyond appearance alone. Having a well-fit prosthetic eye contributes to physical comfort, emotional well-being, and social confidence, making them an integral part of comprehensive eye care for patients with eye-related conditions or injuries.

In cases where an eye is removed or there's significant damage to the eye, the muscles surrounding the eye socket may experience some degree of disuse or atrophy over time. Wearing an ocular prosthetic helps maintain the natural contour of the eye socket and provides support for the surrounding tissues, which can help prevent excessive muscle weakening.

For paediatric patients, their prosthetics are incredibly important to support their bone development and assist with facial symmetry as they grow. Children also require much more frequent replacements than adults to keep up with their development. 

For patients who have undergone radiotherapy treatment, continual wear of a prosthesis is vital to keep the socket from contracting. The same can be said of anophthalmic patients as socket contraction is an ongoing feature of their condition, even after the patient reaches adulthood.

Some patients only wear their prosthesis intermittently or choose not to wear a prosthetic at all, as they feel more comfortable without it. This is a personal decision and one that you can revisit at different times in life. If you are considering going without your prosthesis, get in touch and your ocularist can help you weigh up the benefits and risks and help you make the right choice for you.

How are Ocular Prosthetics made? 

Our ocular prosthetics are all handmade from scratch by your ocularist; They are crafted to match the size, shape and colour of your natural eye, or to your own preferences.

Is the process of getting an Ocular Prosthetic painful? 

No, the process isn't painful at all. You may feel some slight discomfort when having your impression taken or during your initial fitting, but your ocularist will continually check in with you about your comfort level throughout the fitting process.

How long does it take to get an Ocular Prosthetic?

The turnaround time depends on a range of factors. The entire process of making an ocular prosthesis typically takes several appointments over several days to ensure a precise fit and a lifelike appearance that meets the patient's functional and aesthetic needs. In most cases, Kind Eyes patients will receive their finished prosthetic in a couple of weeks.

How do I care for my Prosthetic? 

We recommend removing your prosthetic and cleaning it using a mild liquid soap then rinsing your prosthesis thoroughly with warm water to remove any soap residue. The frequency of cleaning is particular to each patient and generally you will get to know when your prosthesis needs a clean. Handle your prosthetic eye with care to avoid dropping or damaging it. 

It is important to have regular appointments with your ocularist to have your prosthesis polished. This ensures the longevity, comfort, and hygiene of your prosthetic eye and allows your ocularist to assess any changes to your socket or facial features which may require a new prosthetic eye.

You will be given more in depth care instructions by your ocularist at your supply appointment.

Will people know I have an Ocular Prosthetic? 

Our ocular prosthetics are made to match your natural eye as closely as possible, and in most cases, your artificial eye will be indistinguishable at a conversational distance. However, some patients prefer to take an alternative approach and embrace their visible difference with a fun eye; painted in a different colour, pattern or even with glitter!

Will my vision be affected by an Ocular Prosthetic? 

An Ocular Prosthetic does not restore vision but it also does not negatively affect the vision in your other eye. Some people who have double or shadow vision find wearing a prosthetic eye beneficial as it is opaque and stops distracting vision from their small eye impacting the vision in their sighted eye.

Artificial Eye or Cosmetic Shell - What’s the difference? 

While the material and techniques are the same for both, the different names simply refer to whether there is an eye present or not. If you have had most or all of your eye removed (either through enucleation or evisceration), or have congenital anophthalmia, you wear an Artificial Eye. If you still have your eye but it is small or damaged, you wear a Cosmetic Shell.

Prosthetic or prosthesis - Which is correct? 

Both are correct! These terms are interchangeable, so pick whichever you prefer. Or do like some patients and call it your special eye, your lucky eye or even give it a name, the choice is yours!