Ocular Prosthesis: A Next Generation Cosmetic Management by an Eye for an Eye

Abstract

An ocular prosthesis is an artificial eye that replaces an absent natural eye following an enucleation, evisceration or orbital exenteration. The prosthesis fits over an orbital implant and under the eyelids that covers the structures in the eye socket. It is a non-optical device designed only to improve the cosmesis of an individual with anophthalmic socket or disfigured eye. A normal facial appearance is one of the inherent human traits, if any changed or lost challenges physical, social, mental well-being, self-confidence and psychological influence on the affected people. The loss of an eye is a severe psychological trauma with negative impact on the quality of life of the patient. It is quite challenging to restore the normal look of the patient for bringing him to normality in society. In this view, an ocular prosthetic eye helps to improve the quality of life, satisfaction and appearance of affected eye to any injury or disease of the patient. It is given to uplift the patient’s behavioral, mental status and improve the confidence especially in children. Today, most artificial eyes are made of medical grade plastic acrylate (polymethyl methacrylate material) with an average life of about 2-3years depending upon the way that people use it. It is commonly known as “Device or Scleral Shell or Glass Eye or Fake Eye”. The children require more frequent replacement of the prosthetic eye due to rapid growth changes in the eye. The construction of an ocular prosthesis in the case of congenital and acquired anophthalmia differs in etiology but many concepts of management for a child are the same as for an adult. An early intervention with ocular prosthesis can stimulate orbital growth and prevent facial asymmetry.