Socket Disorders
An eye socket requires sufficient volume and surface lining for an artificial eye to be worn. Without sufficient volume, the socket will appear hollow and the artificial eye (‘prosthesis’) will necessarily be large to compensate for this deficit. Without sufficient lining under the lids (the ‘fornices’), the artificial eye will tend to be unstable.
The Eye of Horus
Ancient symbol of healing,
restoration, and protection
Even where the socket volume and lining is adequate, a poorly fitting artificial eye can be uncomfortable and cause mucus discharge. Sometimes, remolding of the socket and fitting a new artificial eye can address this problem. Artificial eyes should be polished yearly by a prosthetist to remove stubborn bacterial surface build-up.
Areas of expertise
- Problems related to wearing an artificial eye
- Instability of the artificial eye
- Socket discharge and discomfort
- Volume enhancement – secondary implants
- Extruding implants
- Conjunctival fornix reconstruction