Simulating Natural Eye by Customized Eye Prosthesis Using Digital Photograph

Abstract

Eye is a vital organ; important for vision and also, an important component of facial expression. The unfortunate loss or absence of an eye, apart from leading to impaired vision, has a crippling effect on overall appearance of the face and psychology of the patient. Replacement of the lost eye, in such cases, becomes important to promote the physical and psychological healing of the patient apart from improving social acceptance. Prosthodontic rehabilitation of missing eye includes fabrication of prosthesis by acrylic resin, silicone and implants. However, a custom-made ocular prosthesis serves as an affordable and satisfactory alternative to the Implants. In this case, we fabricated a custom-made ocular prosthesis, made up of heat cure acrylic sclera. A patient’s iris photograph of adjacent eye was pasted on sclera. It was then covered with self-cure, clear acrylic resin for translucency and best shine giving the live eye effect. Heat cure acrylic resin is the best material for making sclera blanks. Patent’s iris photograph gives the effect of natural looking iris. The self-cure clear acrylic offers translucency and 3-D effect with best shine. The technique is very simple, easily adaptable and gives the prosthesis with superior esthetics than stock eyes. This case report describes a novel technique for fabricating a predictable, esthetic, well-fitting and comfortable, custom-made, ocular prosthesis in an attempt to avoid costly and time consuming procedures.