Care and Maintenance of Your Prosthesis

The Basics

  • Protect Your Eyes

    Whether you have one prosthetic eye or two, it’s important to protect the eyes you have. Wear goggles or glasses to protect your eyes from things like debris or your prosthesis from popping out and sinking to the bottom of the river.

    (Yes, that’s happened before!)

    A black pug in a sweater wearing round glasses
  • Keep Your Prosthesis Clean

    We recommend patients have their prosthetic eye cleaned twice a year. For at home cleaning, rub your prosthesis with a cold, wet paper towel. Be sure to wash your hands before handling your prosthesis and plug the sink when you’re ready to clean it to avoid the possibility of it going down the drain.

    (Yes, that’s happened before, too!)

    A person washing their hands
  • Lubricate Your Prosthesis

    If your prosthesis feels dry, use lubricants to keep it comfortable. You can use mineral oil or artificial tears on your prosthesis, but remember that a little goes a long way.

    We recommend Systane Lubricant Eye Drops or mineral oil. Both can usually be found at your local pharmacy.

    a white eye dropper sits in front of a pair of round glasses

Removing Your Prosthesis

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Removing Your Prosthesis *

A suction cup is attached to a prosthesis and a hand is raising the upper lid

​Step 1

​Lightly wet a suction cup, and attach it to your prosthesis.

A suction cup is attached to a prosthetic eye and the lower edge is exposed

​Step 2

Once the suction cup is attached to your prosthesis, look up to the ceiling and gently pull down on your lower lid.

The artificial eye has been removed from the socket, just outside the lids

​Step 3

Pull straight out to release your prosthesis from behind your upper lid.

a person's face with one eye closed and one open

​Step 4

Pull away slowly, and your prosthesis should come out smoothly.

Inserting Your Prosthesis

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Inserting Your Prosthesis *

a hand lifts the upper eyelid

​Step 1

Using a little bit of lubrication, attach a suction cup to the front of your prosthesis, and lift up your upper lid.

The upper lid is lifted and the prosthesis is placed underneath

​Step 2

​Gently slide the top of your prosthesis under your upper lid and slowly release your lid.

a suction cup is attached to an ocular prosthesis

​Step 3

​After the top of your prosthesis is inserted, angle the bottom towards your lower lid.

two eyes of a person

​Step 4

​Once the bottom of your prosthesis is behind your lower lid, gently release the suction cup, and your prosthesis should be in place.​

Still have questions?