Making Prosthetic Eyes By C.C. Rowe At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

For many, the thought of an artificial eye conjures uncomfortable images. However, just about everything most people believe about artificial eyes is either factually incorrect or a long-outdated stigma. For starters, artificial eyes are made of acrylic, not glass. And, like advances in all other forms of human prosthetic, ocular prostheses have changed dramatically over the years, allowing wearers of artificial eyes to live comfortable, normal lives and look terrific while doing so.

The need for prosthetic eyes can come from a number of circumstances, including macular degenerative eye disease, diabetes or unfortunate accidents. While the reasons for needing one vary widely, it is important for everyone needing a prosthetic eye to make an educated decision about choosing the right product because quite simply, not all prosthetic eyes are made the same. In fact, there is a real art to the science of making one's visage whole again.

Most prosthetic eyes are fitted and inserted six to eight weeks after the surgical removal of the original. The first step involves taking a mold of the patent's eye socket. This painless process uses a material called alginate that requires less than two minutes to take the shape of the person's eye socket, after which it is placed into a mold that eventually produces a hard wax replica to imitate the patterns and other physical specificities of the patient. This mold can be inserted and tested several times to ensure that the final product will be as close as possible to the original, taking into account gaze direction, width of eyelid openings and facial structure.

Perhaps the most crucial component of making an artificial eye is the skill of the ocularist in creating the iris button, which is exactly what it sounds like: the portion of the prosthetic eye that emulates the pupil, iris and cornea. This is where true art has its place, as a skilled ocularist can create an iris button that looks exceptionally realistic. The best ocularists will compare the iris button to the natural eye several times to get a comprehensive overview of its appearance in all gazes, situations and lighting to completely mimic how the prosthetic eye will look once part of the patent's every day life. This often takes several fittings but can be done while a patient is waiting.

The iris button, which is inserted into the molded eye on a small rod, is covered with a thin sheet of plastic that is then ground and sanded evenly over the surface of the prosthetic to simulate the sclera, or "white" of the eye. Using paints, chalk and even colored thread, an ocularist then painstakingly designs the remainder of the eye.

There is a real skill in the creation of a prosthetic eye. It is critical then, that someone in need of an ocularist choose a practice that has a solid reputation and a demonstrable list of satisfied patients. And this only comes from experience. Like any skill, it takes time to become the best.

While many artificial eyes are pre-made with an array of off-the-shelf alternatives, nothing ultimately comes close to the realism and comfort of a custom made prosthetic eye.

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