Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhen It Is NeededWhat It IsBenefitsImplantationCare
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
When It Is Needed
What It Is
Benefits
Implantation
Care
A glass eye, also commonly known as a prosthetic or artificial eye, approximates the look of a natural one and aids anyone who has lost an eye.
There are a variety of things you should know about artificial eyes and how to care for them.
Jessica Olah / Verywell
When Is a Glass Eye Needed?
Removal of an eye is something that must be seriously discussed and the circumstances of each case weighed. Common factors that may lead up to this include:
The decision to remove an eye usually requires a detailed discussion with the doctor in which all options are first explored. Sometimes this is done because the sight in the affected eye has already been lost to a disease like glaucoma or to an infection, such as endophthalmitis, while the eye itself is causing pain.
In some other cases, such as an eye with tumors, the eye may still have sight but must be removed in order to save a person’s life. Or, the eye may need to be removed to save the sight in the still healthy eye.
Eye removal surgery can be done in different ways. The process of removing the entire globe is called enucleation. All connections to the orbit, including the optic nerve, are severed. With this approach, the eye muscles are attached to the artificial globe to enable tandem movement with the natural eye.
Enucleation is among the oldest eye procedures. It has actually been performed since 2600 B.C.
Evisceration of the eye includes removal of the clearcorneaand the intraocular contents, including the lens,iris, retina, and uveal tissue. Regardless of the approach, many have concerns about what the outcome may be.
Having an artificial eye implanted after eye removal supports physical and mental well-being.
What Is a Glass Eye?
While many commonly refer to artificial eyes as glass eyes, this is actually a misnomer. Rather than glass, today’s artificial eyes are made of acrylic material. A custom mold of the socket can first be made to ensure a proper fit. This includes being able to blink properly as well as move the artificial eye.
A stock iris that closely resembles the colored portion of the person’s other eye, complete with details such as the pupil and other eye markings drawn in here or silk fibers used to simulate veins, can be created.
This can then be attached to a unit that is specially molded to fit the orbit. Once in place, the end result can effectively mimic the other eye.
With a good fitting, an artificial eye can last decades.
You don’t need a prosthetic eye. Unfortunately, it will not help to restore sight. A patch is also an option. However, the eyes are what many may notice most about a person and are considered a gauge of attractiveness. Many find that getting an artificial eye implanted can:
Implanting a Glass Eye
Although the implant has no sight, during this process it will be placed into the eye socket and attached to the six eye muscles.This will allow you to move the artificial eye along with your other eye.
The artificial eye will not be put in place immediately, however. The socket first needs a chance to heal after eye removal and for swelling to resolve. Only after about six to eight weeks, once this is fully healed, will you be ready to be fitted for the artificial eye.
Caring for a Glass Eye
Once you have an artificial eye, it will have to be maintained on a regular basis.
You will need to meet with an ocularist to properly clean and polish the artificial eye once or twice a year and to make sure it continues to fit comfortably.
Cleaning the Prosthesis
After removing the artificial eye, rub it with your fingers under a stream of warm water. Dry it with a soft cloth and reinsert the eye. If you feel soap is needed, use only mild soap, making sure nothing abrasive or irritating is used.
Making It Comfortable
If regularly maintained, the artificial eye should fit comfortably. Your oculist can make any needed adjustments.
If you feel dryness or irritation, use lubricating eye drops. One modification is that instead of dropping the eye drops onto the eye, you’ll need to squeeze the drops onto a finger and then wipe them on the surface of the artificial eye.
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5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Fu L, Patel BC.Enucleation. StatPearls.Koralakunte PR, Basavapura ND, Budihal DH.Prosthetic management with a scleral prosthesis: An ‘eye on an eye’.Int Ophthalmol. 2014 Apr;34(2):309-13. doi:10.1007/s10792-013-9778-7Bankoti P, Singhal MK, Nair C, Chandra P.Characterization of an eye prosthesis using monopoly syrup.Indian J Dent Res. 2016 Sep-Oct;27(5):553-558. doi:10.4103/0970-9290.195684American Academy of Ophthalmology.Eye removal surgery: Enucleation and evisceration.The Eye Institute.Everything you need to know about prosthetic eyes.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Fu L, Patel BC.Enucleation. StatPearls.Koralakunte PR, Basavapura ND, Budihal DH.Prosthetic management with a scleral prosthesis: An ‘eye on an eye’.Int Ophthalmol. 2014 Apr;34(2):309-13. doi:10.1007/s10792-013-9778-7Bankoti P, Singhal MK, Nair C, Chandra P.Characterization of an eye prosthesis using monopoly syrup.Indian J Dent Res. 2016 Sep-Oct;27(5):553-558. doi:10.4103/0970-9290.195684American Academy of Ophthalmology.Eye removal surgery: Enucleation and evisceration.The Eye Institute.Everything you need to know about prosthetic eyes.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Fu L, Patel BC.Enucleation. StatPearls.Koralakunte PR, Basavapura ND, Budihal DH.Prosthetic management with a scleral prosthesis: An ‘eye on an eye’.Int Ophthalmol. 2014 Apr;34(2):309-13. doi:10.1007/s10792-013-9778-7Bankoti P, Singhal MK, Nair C, Chandra P.Characterization of an eye prosthesis using monopoly syrup.Indian J Dent Res. 2016 Sep-Oct;27(5):553-558. doi:10.4103/0970-9290.195684American Academy of Ophthalmology.Eye removal surgery: Enucleation and evisceration.The Eye Institute.Everything you need to know about prosthetic eyes.
Fu L, Patel BC.Enucleation. StatPearls.
Koralakunte PR, Basavapura ND, Budihal DH.Prosthetic management with a scleral prosthesis: An ‘eye on an eye’.Int Ophthalmol. 2014 Apr;34(2):309-13. doi:10.1007/s10792-013-9778-7
Bankoti P, Singhal MK, Nair C, Chandra P.Characterization of an eye prosthesis using monopoly syrup.Indian J Dent Res. 2016 Sep-Oct;27(5):553-558. doi:10.4103/0970-9290.195684
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Eye removal surgery: Enucleation and evisceration.
The Eye Institute.Everything you need to know about prosthetic eyes.
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