| The days of daily removal and cleaning of an | | | | soap and a cotton ball. It is important not to use |
| artificial eye are gone. Most ocularists and | | | | rubbing alcohol or any other harsh chemical as |
| ophthalmologists now agree that if the ocular | | | | they can damage the ocular prosthesis. |
| prosthesis is not causing irritation to the eye | | | | If needed, you can also clean out the eye socket |
| socket, it should be left alone. It may however | | | | with a saline solution while the artificial eye is |
| require occasional lubrication depending on the | | | | removed. Using a bulb syringe and sterile saline |
| function of the tear ducts or other natural | | | | solution, both of which can be found at any drug |
| lubricants of the eye socket. In fact, it is now | | | | store, simply flush the eye socket to remove any |
| believed that handling the ocular prosthesis can | | | | debris or build up. Once the artificial eye and the |
| increase the chance of infection in the eye socket | | | | eye socket have been cleaned, the ocular |
| and it should only be handled when necessary. | | | | prosthesis can be reinserted by holding the |
| However, the area surrounding the eye socket | | | | prosthesis between the thumb and forefinger and |
| such as the eye lid and eye lashes should be | | | | with the other hard, lift the upper eye lid. Then, |
| cleaned daily in order to remove buildup of the | | | | gently slide the top of the prosthesis under the |
| eye's natural secretions. When cleaning this area, it | | | | upper eye lid and hold in place while you pull down |
| is important to remember to only rub from the | | | | the lower eye lid with your other hand so that it |
| outside of the eye towards the nose as not to | | | | slips over the bottom of the prosthesis holding it |
| displace the prosthesis. | | | | in place. |
| Occasionally, the artificial eye can acquire protein | | | | Other than occasional at home cleanings, it is |
| build ups or other irritants that may require its | | | | important to return to your ocularist once or |
| removal and cleaning. Before you begin this | | | | twice a year in order to have the eye checked, |
| process, make sure that you thoroughly wash | | | | professionally cleaned and polished. This will help |
| your hands with an antibacterial soap in order to | | | | ensure a natural look and increase the longevity |
| lessen the chances of infecting the socket. To | | | | of the ocular prosthesis. Plus, the ocularist will be |
| remove the artificial eye, simply pull down the | | | | able to detect the subtle changes in the |
| lower lid and look upward, which allows the | | | | prosthesis or socket that may require an |
| prosthesis to slide out over the lower lid. Make | | | | adjustment. |
| sure you place the palm of your free hand on | | | | Artificial eyes are relatively low maintenance |
| your cheek to catch the prosthesis as it slides | | | | prosthesis and actually benefit from limited care |
| out. There are also suction cups available to help | | | | due to decreased risk of damage or infection. For |
| with the removal of an ocular prosthesis if | | | | this reason, an ocular prosthesis is easy to care |
| needed. Once removed, it is important to keep | | | | for and maintain and although the concept of |
| the prosthesis wet with either water or saline | | | | removing an eye might seem overwhelming at |
| solution so that any secretions on the eye do not | | | | first, it is rarely required and quality ocular |
| dry on the surface of the prosthesis. The artificial | | | | prostheses are designed for simple removal, |
| eye can be gently cleaned with an antibacterial | | | | insertion and maintenance. |