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ABQ Ocular

ABQ Ocular

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Caring for Your Ocular Prosthesis or Scleral Cover Shell

We recommend keeping your prosthetic eye in place at all times to help maintain the health and shape of your socket. Proper care of your prosthetic eye or scleral cover shell helps reduce irritation, protects the socket, and ensures the device continues to fit comfortably. 
 
Routine follow‑up is important. Most patients benefit from a professional cleaning and polishing every 6 months. Because children grow quickly, they should also be seen every six months. Scleral cover shells typically need polishing every six months as well to remove protein buildup and surface scratches.

If you ever need to remove the prosthesis briefly for cleaning, you or a caregiver can follow the steps below for safe removal, cleaning, and reinsertion.

Removing your Prosthetic Eye or Scleral Cover Shell

Helpful Tips

  • Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

  • If you’re working over a sink, place a towel over the drain in case the prosthesis is dropped.

  • Face a mirror until you feel confident performing these steps without one.

  • For dryness, especially in winter, artificial tears can be applied to the front surface of the prosthesis or shell while it is in place.

Removal Using Your Fingers

  1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

  2. Gently pull the lower eyelid downward with your index finger.

  3. Slide your finger beneath the lower edge of the prosthesis and lift it up and out of the socket.

Removal Using a Suction Cup

  1. Wash your hands and rinse the suction cup with mild soap or baby shampoo.

  2. Moisten the tip of the suction cup to help it adhere to the prosthesis.

  3. Lift the upper eyelid by the lashes, squeeze the suction cup and place it near the center of the prosthesis (the iris).

  4. Release the squeeze (if your suction cup uses one) to secure it.

  5. Pull the lower lid down and gently lift the prosthesis up and outward.

  6. Keep your other hand under the prosthesis in case it slips.

  7. Clean the suction cup again after use.

Cleaning Your Prosthetic Eye or Scleral Cover Shell 

Cleaning the Eye Socket

A small amount of drainage and discharge is normal. Use a warm, damp washcloth to gently wipe the nasal corner and eyelids until clean. 

Cleaning Your Prosthetic Eye or Scleral Cover Shell

Clean the device whenever the eye or socket looks red, irritated, or dirty.

  1. Rinse the prosthesis with water.

  2. Wash with mild soap or baby shampoo. Do not use alcohol based cleaners. These can damage the surface.

  3. Clean all sides thoroughly.

  4. Rinse until all soap is removed.

  5. Let it air‑dry or gently dry with a soft cloth

Reinserting Your Prosthetic Eye or Scleral Cover Shell

Reinsertion Using Your Fingers

  1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

  2. Apply a few drops of eye wash, saline, or artificial tears to the front and back of the prosthesis.

  3. Hold the prosthesis between your thumb and index finger.

  4. Identify the top (usually marked with a dot, numbers, symbol, or the area without veining).

  5. Lift the upper eyelid and slide the top edge of the prosthesis underneath as far as it will comfortably go.

  6. Release the upper lid.

  7. Pull the lower lid down and guide the bottom of the prosthesis into the socket.

  8. Close your eyes and gently press toward the nose to help the prosthesis settle into the socket or over the existing globe.

  9. Check the position in a mirror.

Reinsertion with a Suction Cup

  1. Moisten the suction cup and attach it to the center of the prosthesis.

  2. Lift the upper eyelid and guide the top of the prosthesis under the lid.

  3. Pull the lower lid down and slide the bottom of the prosthesis into place.

  4. Gently detach the suction cup.

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Health Insurance

Many insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, may cover a portion or the entirety of an ocular prosthesis or scleral cover shell. Some require a referral, prior authorization, or a prescription. Contact your insurance provider’s member services for details.

When to Contact Your Ocularist

Please give us a call if you notice:

  • A change in how the prosthesis or shell fits

  • Chips, cracks, or surface damage

  • Redness, swelling, irritation, or pain in the socket

  • Difficulty reinserting the device

  • Persistent dryness or discharge that doesn’t improve with cleaning

When to Contact your Doctor:

An ocularist is the specialist who designs, fits, and maintains your prosthetic eye or scleral cover shell—but they are NOT a medical doctor. Please contact your doctor (such as an ophthalmologist or primary care provider) if you notice signs of a medical problem with the eye socket, eyelids, or overall health, including:

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  • Increasing redness, swelling, or warmth around the eyelids or socket 

  • Yellow, foul‑smelling, or worsening discharge

  • Fever or feeling unwell along with eye symptoms

  • New or severe pain in or around the socket

  • Visible changes in the natural eye (for shell wearers)

  • Injury or trauma to the remaining eye

  • Eyelids that suddenly droop, turn in/out, or won’t close

  • New bumps, growths, or lesions in the socket or on the eyelids

  • Persistent itching, burning, or swelling that doesn’t improve

  • New facial weakness, numbness, or other neurological symptoms

  • Any sudden change in vision in the seeing eye

  • Any bleeding or signs of infection

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