Eye Prosthetics

Adhesive-Retained Orbital Prosthesis

Application of prosthetic adhesives remains the conventional method and a very reliable and secure means of attaching orbital prostheses. We employ the best adhesives and placement strategies based on 35 years of experience specifically in this specialty. The nuanced methods, tricks and techniques we have developed working closely with hundreds of orbital patients are all brought to bare making adhesive daily use ever-easier for each new patient. Mastery of adhesive management is empowering and we see it all the time.

Glasses Retained Orbital Prosthesis

When patients have very delicate skin or adhesive sensitivities or prefer the simplest way to wear their prosthesis without surgery we simply attach the orbital prosthesis to attractive eyeglasses. Experience again helps us know the best materials to use, the styles of glasses that work the best, and the cleverest molding techniques to maximize aesthetics, camouflage and durability of the system. Its an old-school method, but when done well its perhaps the most elegant and liberating of all.

Hollow Bulb Anatomically-Retained Orbital Prosthesis

This patient has received a hollow extremely lightweight orbital prosthesis that slips in and stays secure requiring no adhesive, no bone-anchored implants and no other mechanical means of retention. This technique was published in a chapter written by Greg Gion, MMS, CCA on orbital prostheses in the textbook Facial and somatic Prosthetics (McKinstry, 1995). The technique was also included in a chapter on orbital prosthetics in Principles and Practice in Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (Bosniak, 1995).

Of critical importance is that the bulb portion of the prosthesis seat absolutely passively in a very accurately captured exenteration cavity. The bulb walls are generally less than 2 mm in thickness with a mid-low durometer silicone. The technique was painstakingly developed to allow the elderly patient to enjoy their prosthesis without adhesive or fear of tissue trauma.

Extraoral Maxillofacial Prosthesis

The larger orbital prosthesis is sometimes classified as an upper facial prosthesis or hemifacial prosthesis. Orbital exenteration with hemimaxillectomy is a very ablative surgery that necessities a larger facial prosthesis. However, the prosthesis is designed very light in weight with a magnetic connector so that it may attach to the intraoral dental device called the obturator. Our design allows easy placement of the orbital prosthesis. Both the intraoral and extraoral components snap together with specialty titanium encased corrosion-proof magnets we have identified for this purpose. The two prosthetic components thereby stabilize each other. Taking this intensive approach we turn the devastating effect of the surgical deficit into an advantage for the patient.

2-Piece Magnetic Orbital Prosthesis

Our client received a 2-piece magnetic prosthesis which positions into the cavity in 2 steps. First, a soft silicone insert with a central neodymium magnet fits intimately into the skin-lined cavity creating a gentle but secure attachment. Secondly the aesthetic component clicks into place magnetically.

It stays in place with no adhesive and the orbital cavity now stays cleaner and is easier to maintain.

Our experience allows us to exploit opportunities that we know will make the patient’s life a lot easier with the prosthesis.

Osseointegration

The patient elected to have 3 osseointegrated implant fixtures placed in her orbital cavity so she could have a magnetic orbital prosthesis. In most cases this process is just like dental implants. You go home the same day after the surgery and in a few months come back for the final prosthesis.

It is a wonderful option just letting the magnetic components hold the prosthesis securely in place with no adhesive at all.