Proper Care for prosthetic eyes
Cleaning Your Prosthesis
A minimum twice-daily cleaning regimen of your ocular prosthesis and eyelids is recommended. This is necessary to remove normal secretions and protein buildup from your socket that can accumulate on the eyelid margins and surface of your prosthesis. We suggest several solutions to keep your eye looking and feeling clean and comfortable.
First "BEST" option
Without removing your prosthesis, wet a clean cotton wash cloth with warm/hot (don't burn yourself) tap water. Wrap towel around your finger. Gently hold the wash cloth against the prosthesis and close your eye over the towel, then count to 15. Repeat 1 to 3 times until discharge is gone. Gently wipe the outside of the eyelid using a side to side motion while your eye is shut. Rinse your eye and face well. Use a clean wash cloth every time to eliminate the risk of infection.
Second option
Complete the steps listed in the first option.
Then use OCuSOFT Lid Scrub, following the instructions on the box.
Third option
Remove your ocular prosthesis if recommended by your doctor or ocularist. Block any drain where you will be washing your prosthesis to ensure it won't be lost if it is dropped.
With your fingers, gently wash your prosthesis under hot running tap water using a dish soap that is not antibacterial; Dawn is the recommended brand.
Rinse the eye well, making sure no soap is left on prosthetic.
Reinsert.
WARNING
Do not use alcohol, hand sanitizer, or any kind of bleach on your ocular prosthesis. These products are toxic to plastic and will cause cracks on the surface of your prosthesis. Unfortunately, you will then need to have a new prosthesis made.
Inserting Your Prosthesis
First
Wash your hands and the ocular prosthesis thoroughly with water and a dish soap that is not antibacterial; Dawn is the recommended brand.
Do not use soap containing moisturizers, abrasives, or fragrance.
Second
Hold the prosthesis with your thumb and index finger, or using a suction cup. Lift your top eyelid with your other hand.
Third
Slide the top of the prosthesis under the top eyelid as far as it will go.
Fourth
Holding the prosthesis in place with one finger, use your other hand to pull down on the lower eyelid until the prosthesis slips under the lower eyelid.
Fifth
Using a mirror, make sure your prosthesis is placed correctly.
Removing Your Prosthesis
First
Wash your hands and suction cup thoroughly with soap. Separate the eyelids and place the suction cup onto the center of the prosthesis. Push the suction cup back until it forms a suction and locks onto your prosthesis.
Second
With your finger, pull the lower eyelid down.
Third
With the suction cup, tilt the ocular prosthesis out over the lower eyelid and fully remove.
Clean your prosthesis and suction cup every time you insert or remove your prosthesis.