Frequently Asked Questions

​Each individual's insurance coverage varies.

Our Practice Manager, Lexi, is happy to address any questions you may have regarding your specific needs and insurance. Please do not hesitate to call. 503-675-1320 or Toll-Free at 1-800-200-0908.

We recommend a polish every six months for most patients. This visit enables us to remove built-up protein, bacteria, and scratches from the prosthetic surface. We also examine the fit of the prosthesis and the condition of your tissue and eyelids.

A good rule of thumb to follow: Don’t bother the prosthesis unless it bothers you. If the prosthesis is causing discomfort, please remove it, clean it, and reinsert it. Please be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before removing the prosthesis. 

If you feel that you are removing your prosthesis too frequently, please call our office at 503-675-1320 or Toll-Free at 1-800-200-0908 to let us know, so we can determine the next steps together.

We make our custom prosthetic eyes from plastic, earth pigment, oil-based paint, and silk thread.

The two primary layers of the prosthesis are made from medical grade acrylic. The base layer is the "white" part of the prosthesis or the sclera. The top layer is clear, giving the prosthesis depth and life-like appearance.

The appearance of blood vessels is created using silk thread embedded between the layers of acrylic.

Earth pigments paints provide vibrant colors and don’t fade, extending the life of the prosthesis.

​Since each person is different, there is no definitive answer to this question.

The life of the prosthesis depends on several factors, including age, the type of implant used, the reason for the loss of the natural eye, and the age of the plastic itself. Usually, the slow atrophy (loss) of fat deep in the orbit can require prosthesis replacement.

We recommend that your eye socket be examined by your ocularist every six months to detect any scratches, surface deposits, or anatomical changes.

In most cases, your ocular prosthesis will have some degree of movement. The amount of movement your prosthetic eye will have depends on several factors, including the preoperative condition and postoperative recovery. The ophthalmologist constructs the eye socket with an orbital implant during surgery to transfer as much movement as possible to your prosthesis. Your ocularist will also fit the prosthesis to the orbital implant to maximize the movement available.

The ocularist will create a thin ocular prosthesis that helps develop facial structures by providing the necessary volume and pressure. The presence of this type of prosthesis helps the eyelids, fissure opening, and orbital tissues grow and maintain appropriate size and shape.

If you have questions about this process, please call our office at 503-675-1320 or Toll-Free at 1-800-200-0908.

​If you break or lose your prosthesis, you will need to have a new one made. Please put a clean conformer or an older prosthesis in your socket.

Call our office as soon as possible to schedule an appointment for your new prosthesis. If you need a conformer to wear, please let us know. You can call our office at 503-675-1320 or Toll-Free at 1-800-200-0908.

If traveling to our locations is difficult, you can ship your eye to our office so we can inspect and polish your prosthesis without you needing to be present in our office. This method does not replace the need to be seen by your ocularist if your prosthesis becomes ill-fitting or is giving you trouble.

Please call our office for more information to find out if you qualify for this service.

Absolutely! You can do the same activities you did before having a prosthesis.

It’s important to wear adequate eye protection to prevent your prosthesis from being lost and to protect your natural eye. We recommend wearing swim goggles when swimming, diving, or water skiing, as these are the most common activities that can lead to the loss of a prosthesis.

Ocularists are not doctors.

​An ocularist is an individual who has undergone extensive training and experience, typically including a college degree, a five-year apprenticeship, an examination, and certification administered by the National Examination Board of Ocularists, which ensures adherence to the highest professional standards.

Artificial eyes have been found in tombs from as far back as 2900-2800 B.C.E.!

The current method of manufacturing artificial eyes has been in practice since World War II. Before the War, artificial eyes were made from glass, giving rise to the common misnomer "glass eye." The glass, however, came from Germany. As a result of the War, it was impossible to import the glass necessary to create artificial eyes. Ocularists needed to develop an alternative method, so they used plastic. The plastic they used during World War II is the same plastic we use today.