There are several methods of fitting an artificial eye. Many years ago stock eyes, or
(ready-made eyes), were fit by trying different shapes into the socket until a satisfactory lid
opening was achieved.
This method required the fitter to have a large selection of stock eyes
on hand to simulate the patient's iris color and fill the shape requirements with the iris in
the right position. Fitting stock eyes was not, and is not, considered the most exacting method
of fitting because of the guesswork involved.
In the United States stock eyes are rarely fit
any more because of the problems they can cause, and Board Certified Ocularists, (B.C.O.), do not
use stock eyes because of the inherent inaccuracies sighted.
The custom-made prosthesis, as the name implies, is made from a direct model of the socket.
During the first fitting appointment, about eight weeks following surgery, an impression is usually taken, if
possible, of the socket to provide maximum conformation and contact to ensure a proper fit.
The material used is similar to that used for taking dental impressions and the process takes
only a few minutes. This procedure is not painful although some patients experience slight
discomfort from the pressure of the material filling the socket.
Sometime during the first
appointment the iris is painted that will be used in the final
prosthesis. We at Kolberg Ocular Prosthetics have developed a painting
technique we call close encounter painting. This means the fine lines in
your iris are duplicated in such detail that when someone is close to you,
(close encounter) the iris of your prosthesis looks like your natural eye.
Many patients tell us that their family and friends can not tell which eye is
the prosthesis and that our work goes unnoticed.
Click here to see an enlarged sample of our painting method.
All of our custom-made ocular prostheses are
created with our close encounter painting procedure, so you get the best
possible reproduction of your natural eye.
