Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about prosthetic eye care, insurance, or educational materials? We answer frequently asked questions from our patients below.
Insurance
Will insurance cover my prosthetic eye?
Most prosthetic eye services are covered by insurance. Our staff is happy to determine insurance coverage and benefits for all patients and handle all insurance billing services.
What types of health plans do you accept?
We are a contracted provider for nearly every health plan, including:
- Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
- Independent Physician Associations (IPA)
- Preferred Provider Option (PPO)
- Medicare
- MediCal
- Veteran Affairs (VA)
What insurance carriers do you accept?
We accept the following insurance carriers:
- Aetna
- Anthem Blue Cross
- Cigna
- Blue Shield of California
- Health Net
- Humana
- Kaiser Permanente
- United Healthcare
What medical groups do you accept?
We are a contracted provider for nearly every medical group in the region.
Prosthetic Eye Research
What publications should I read to learn more about prosthetic eyes?
As you continue your prosthetic eye research, you might find the following books helpful:
- “A Singular View: The Art of Seeing with One Eye” by Frank B. Brady
- “Eye Was There: A Patient’s Guide to Coping with the Loss of an Eye” by Charles B. Slonim, M.D., Amy Z. Martino, M.D.
- “Lost Eye: Coping with Monocular Vision After Enucleation or Eye Loss from Cancer, Accident, or Disease” by Jay D. Adkisson
What is a digital iris?
Digital iris technology has been available since 1998. After extensive research and testing by ocularists nationwide, less than 1% of them choose to use this technique, because it’s difficult to achieve a lifelike color match. Our team agrees with this research. A hand-painted iris by an experienced board-certified ocularist offers a natural, soft, and realistic appearance. This timeless art form has been perfected at our office for more than 20 years.
What is an orbital implant?
The orbital implant is a spherical device approximately 18 – 20 mm in diameter. It’s made from various materials, the two most common are porous polyethylene and hydroxyapatite. During the surgical procedure to remove an eye, the orbital implant is inserted to replace the lost volume. When a prosthetic eye is fit over the implant five to six weeks following surgery, the movement of the orbital implant is transferred to the prosthetic eye. For increased prosthetic eye movement, there’s an optional motility peg attachment system.
Will my prosthetic eye move with my natural eye?
In most cases, your prosthetic eye will have movement. The amount of movement your prosthetic eye will have depends on several factors, such as your preoperative condition and postoperative recovery. The ophthalmologist constructs the eye socket with an orbital implant during surgery to transfer the most possible movement to your prosthesis. Your ocularist will also fit your prosthesis to the orbital implant to maximize the movement available.
What is a Hydroxyapatite Implant and motility peg attachment?
Certain implants such as the porous hydroxyapatite implant, allow an optional titanium peg system to be utilized several months following surgery. This procedure provides a direct connection between the ocular prosthesis and the orbital implant. This connection will transfer the most natural prosthetic eye movement possible. The advantages and disadvantages of this procedure can be discussed further with your ocularist and ophthalmologist.
Will the eye socket still have normal tear flow?
Surgery to remove your eye shouldn’t affect its ability to produce lubricating tears. Although, the ocular prosthesis is made of a hard, non-absorbing acrylic plastic, which doesn’t hold lubrication very easily. This combination can sometimes cause an overproduction of tears, especially in children. Tearing and mucous are also greatly affected by the environment and your health. For example, a day at the beach, or an allergic reaction, may cause excess tearing due to increased socket irritation. These situations can be managed with irrigation and lubricating drops.
Handling & Care
How do I remove my prosthetic eye?
To remove an ocular prosthesis you should use a suction cup, available from your ocularist. To remove the prosthetic eye, squeeze the suction cup while placing the tip onto the surface of the prosthesis. Next, release the suction cup to create a vacuum. Pull down the lower eyelid to gently pull out the prosthesis with the suction cup.
How do I clean my prosthetic eye?
You may clean the prosthesis with any hard or gas-permeable contact lens cleaning solution. Simply apply the cleaner to all the surfaces and rub it vigorously with your fingertips. Then, rinse well with warm water. Don’t clean the prosthesis with rubbing alcohol or any other chemical solvents. Never boil or heat sterilize an ocular prosthesis.
How often should I remove my prosthetic eye?
Routine removal of a prosthetic eye isn’t recommended unless advised by your ocularist. Typically as long as the prosthesis remains comfortable, it shouldn’t be removed regularly. It’s important to minimize the frequency of removal. However, if the prosthesis accumulates residual mucous secretion deposits on its surface, please follow the recommended cleaning procedure.
Should I lubricate my prosthetic eye?
Not all patients will need to lubricate their prosthetic eye. However, if eyelid function is limited, the use of artificial tears or other lubricants may be needed. Several factors can affect a patient’s individual needs such as age, environment, and health factors. Please consult with your ocularist for more information.
Should I wear protective eyewear?
It’s strongly recommended that you wear a pair of glasses with shatterproof polycarbonate lenses. Even if no visual correction is required in the natural eye, glasses are an excellent means of protection in the event of a facial injury.
Will I be able to play sports while wearing a prosthetic eye?
Wearing a prosthetic eye shouldn’t limit your involvement in most sports. However, when possible, sport-specific safety glasses should be worn. This is particularly important when swimming, in which goggles should always be worn.