faq

Frequently asked questions
There are a lot of questions on the subject of "Eye Protheses". We have attempted to answer some of
these here. If you have other questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We would be pleased to
assist you in any way we can!

How do I care for my artificial eye?
Rinsing the artificial eye regularly in clear water generally suffices. If there is a slight formation of crust
due to mucous, then soak the artificial eye in vinegar for a few minutes and then rinse thoroughly in water.

Can an artificial eye made of glass break while inside the eye socket?
No! The eye prothesis is well protected within the eye socket by the facial bones and cannot be damaged
even when participating in sporting activities. However, proper care is necessary during the cleaning of
the glass prothesis. Artificial eyes should never be removed or cleaned over the bathroom sink. Use a
container filled with water and clean your artificial eye over a soft cloth spread out on a tabletop or
other solid surface.

Who will pay for my artificial eye?
Glass eye prothesis have been included in the compulsory hospital insurance in Switzerland since
1.1.1999 (MiGeL 24.21.01). In many cases, the IV, SUVA, EMV and other UVG insurers are also
obligatory for them. Please feel free to ask us, if you need further advice!

The iris in my artificial eye frequently looks darker in the evening than that of the healthy eye.
Why is this the case?
A healthy eye displays a reaction of the pupil, i.e. the pupil becomes larger when the surrounding area
is dark. This causes the colour of the iris to look darker overall. Unfortunately, eye protheses cannot
reproduce this effect and therefore appear lighter in comparison. This is why where the eye colour is
very light (e.g. light blue), one frequently selects an iris colour for the artificial eye that is slightly darker.

Why does the white in my artificial eye frequently look darker than the white in my healthy eye?
The eye prosthesis technician uses all the means at his disposal so no difference in the two iris is apparent.
This includes diminishing strong contrasts. If one therefore tends to select a scleral white that is a little
darker and a slightly lighter iris colour, then as a rule, the cosmetic results will be superior. Eye prothesis
with less contrast are not as noticeable in everyday life!

Why does an artificial eye frequently look smaller than a healthy eye?
The following 3 points must be considered: COMPATIBILITY, MOVEABILITY and UNOBTRUSTIVENESS:

- The eye socket (conjunctival sac) has a given size that depends on the patient history. The more this
space is filled (with larger or curved prostheses), the stronger the resulting pressure will be. This also
affects eyelid's ability to close. Both of these can cause increased tendencies to irritation of the conjunctivas.

- If the prothesis uses all the space in the conjunctival sac, this unfortunately frequently restricts its
moveability.

- An artificial eye is and remains something that is 'artificial'. As a result, there will always be differences
between it and the healthy eye. These are frequently less noticeable, if the eye prosthesis as well as the
lid opening is also a little smaller.

Why does my eye run in dry areas and especially in the winter?
Once the surface of the prosthesis becomes dry, the upper lid is irritated and prompts the production of
increased tears. This can only be prevented by improving the closure of the lid (by using smaller, flatter
prothesis or an artificial tears solution).

Why are artificial eyes still made of glass?
Glass protheses have properties that no other material has achieved to date:

- Its surface is almost absolutely flat.

- Its surface can be moistened.

- Cryolite glass is biologically inert. No allergic reactions have been reported for more than 150 years.

Provided the proper shape and size is selected, these unusual properties make it possible to produce
protheses that do not encroach upon the patient's quality of life any further. You can "forget"
the artificial eye!