Why replace an ocular prosthesis?
An ill-fitting prosthesis can be either too small, too large, or incompatible with the socket contours. Any one of these could cause excessive secretion. Because plastic is porous, it will absorb fluids from the eye socket over a number of years. The acids in these fluids will eventually cause separation of the plastic and therefore blisters and cracks appear on the prosthesis surface. Also bacteria from the fluids will saturate the plastic and cause infections as the plastic ages. When one or several of these problems occurs, the prosthesis should be replaced. The average lifetime of a plastic ocular prosthesis is from three to seven years for an adult and from two to five years for children and adolescents. It will vary with each individual according to their physical changes. In order to avoid possible tissue damage to the eye socket and eyelids from a rough or ill-fitting prosthesis, it is important to have your ocular prosthesis checked by an Ocularist at least once a year. Small
