Our Artificial Eye Services
Please click below to view details about each services.
Austin Ocular Prosthetics Center Services
At Austin Ocular Prosthetics Center we perform custom fitting and fabrication of conventional ocular prosthetics, scleral shell ocular prosthetics, and conformers for therapy and expansion of the socket. We also provide polishing procedures and care and maintenance of an existing ocular prosthesis. All services at Austin Ocular Prosthetics Center are performed start to finish by Craig Pataky, B.C.O., B.A.D.O. in our office’s laboratory.
Conventional Ocular Prosthetics
A prosthesis that is custom made when the patient’s eye has been Enucleated (completely removed) or Eviscerated (partially removed) as a result of trauma, disease, or congenital defects. A conventional artificial eye is custom made using an impression fitting technique. It is hand painted by the Ocularist with the patient present to ensure the best cosmetics possible. This procedure usually requires 3 appointments within a 2-3 day time frame.
Scleral Shell Ocular Prosthetics
A prosthesis that is custom made to fit over an existing globe, which has lost its functional vision. This is due to trauma, disease, or congenital defects. Scleral shell prosthetics are usually very thin and are designed to replace any volume that was lost from the natural eye shrinking. An impression fitting technique is used to allow the scleral shell to have an exact fit over the existing globe. The scleral shell is hand painted to match the patient’s normal eye by the Ocularist with the patient present. This procedure usually requires 3-5 appointments over the course of a few days or weeks (this is determined by the patient’s level of corneal sensitivity).
Custom Conformers
A conformer is fit to allow a socket to heal correctly after an enucleation or evisceration procedure. They are also required to expand the socket in cases of congenital abnormalities including anophthalmia and sometimes microphthalmia. Expansion Conformers may also be required when a socket is contracted (scarred) from radiation therapy or from trauma to the socket.
Polishing and Maintenance Procedures
It is highly recommended that an ocular prosthesis be polished and evaluated by an Ocularist every 6 months. This is important to prevent infections, maintain optimal comfort and ensure a proper fit. It is also sometimes necessary to make alterations and enlargements to the prosthesis over time as changes occur due to growth or age.