Stephen Sanders, Ocularist - Main Office 800-397-6832 - info@fairbanksocular.com


	home about us services faq's articles eye care contact

Locations


	We see patients in Nashville and Chattanooga, TN, Bowling Green, KY and make regular visits to Johnson City, TN and Tupelo MS. See the contact page for details.

Caring for your Prosthesis

Click on a topic for additional information:

Inserting/Removing your prosthesis

Prosthesis Care

Dry Eye - what causes it?

Additional Tips

Depth Perception - adjusting to monocular vision

Inserting Your Prosthesis


	Moisten the prosthesis and hold it between the forefinger and thumb. With your other hand hold open your upper lid and carefully slide the prosthesis up under the lid. Hold the prosthesis in position with one hand while pulling down on the lower lid so that the prosthesis can be inserted between the lids.

Removing Your Prosthesis

Carefully position the thumb and forefinger of one hand to hold the prosthesis With the opposite hand pull down and hold open the lower lid, this will allow you to slide the prosthesis down nd out. Please note that you can also use a suction cup to hold the prosthesis instead of your fingers.

Your eyelids are all that are necessary to hold the
prosthesis in position.

|back to top|

Prosthesis Care:

Your prosthesis is made of a high quality, highly durable plastic.

You should never clean or soak your artificial eye in any type o cleaning agent or alcohol (alcohol will damage the eye).

Avoid removing your prosthesis. Too much handling can cause irritation to your socket and produce excessive secretions.

If you do remove the prosthesis, it is best to store it in a saline solution.

To clean your prosthesis(on average this is done once a month), remove it and wash it with baby shampoo. Use a wet washcloth to wipe away any deposits on the surface of the eye. If you find a buildup of "seep" on your eye after you wake up, you may use a warm washcloth on the eye while it is in your socket to soften this buildup and them it may more easily be wiped away without removing the eye.

Your prosthesis may have a blue spot on it to identify the tope of the eye. This dot is used to help you in positioning the eye for insertion under the upper lid.

If your doctor prescribes eye drops they may be used without removing your prosthesis.

You should see your Ocularist on a regular basis (every 6 months) to have your artificial eye cleaned and resurfaced.

A regular check up will allow your Ocularist to evaluate possible changes in your eye socket and suggest changes to your prosthesis, if necessary.

ALWAYS PROTECT YOUR SIGHTED EYE BY WEARING SOME TYPE OF EYE PROTECTION OR EYE GLASSES.

|back to top|

Dry Eye - what causes it?

Dry eye is caused when the tear gland produces insufficient tears. This can happen as part of the normal ageing process, and is more common among women.

Avoiding the following situations will minimize the risk of Dry Eye:

reduce the dry atmosphere caused by central heating in your home or work place by using a humidifier.

avoid setting your car heating or cooling vents at face level

sit away from direct heat such as gas, wood, or electric heaters.

use eye drops just before activities which may cause eye strain, such as watching television, reading, writing, sewing, etc.

remember to blink regularly, particularly when doing close or concentrated work. Always blink properly with full lid closure, not "half blinking".

avoid smoky environments

|back to top|

Additional Tips

If your eye itches, always wipe toward the nose with the eye closed.

Always wear goggles when engaged in water sports.

Never remove your prosthesis and place it in anything other than a container of saline solution.

Always practice good hygiene when handling your prosthesis - keep your hands clean.

Changes in weather, temperature, pollen count, colds, sleep patterns, etc, may affect the way your eye feels in your socket and the amount of moisture on the surface of your prosthesis. In such cases you may have t deviate from your normal routine and compensate for these changes.

If problems arils contact your Doctor or Ocularist immediately.

|back to top|

Depth-Perception and adjusting to Monocular Vision:

Allow your self time to get accustomed to seeing with just one eye. You will develop the ability to accurately judge depth and distance, with time.

Soon you will have the same confidence in driving, in sports, daily activities at home, etc., that you had prior to your operation.

It is very helpful to remember to turn your head more frequently to gain a wider range of vision

|back to top|