| I hear a lot about silicone lubricants for my artificial | | | | is safe. 100% silicone passed the test. |
| eye. What makes them better? | | | | Why do I even need eyedrops? |
| You've probably heard that 100% silicone artificial | | | | Most artificial eye wearers experience drying due |
| eye lubricant has quickly become the | | | | to a lack of lubrication. In such cases, the Ocularist |
| state-of-the-art for prosthetic care at home. This | | | | will recommend an oily lubricant. (This is according |
| kind of eyedrop reduces friction in your socket. | | | | to the Artificial Eye Clinic in Vienna Virginia.) |
| Friction makes the surface of the prosthetic | | | | Note: Silicone lubricants are not "oily", but are a |
| rough and uneven, which can destroy its | | | | more modern variation with the same protective |
| usefulness. To take care of that artificial eye, | | | | qualities the doctors want. 100% silicone |
| surround it with silicone drops. Over-the-counter | | | | (sometimes referred to by its chemical symbol, |
| saline artificial tears will not protect against friction. | | | | Si) is thick, spreads evenly, and adheres. Ocularists |
| Of course, friction makes the eye painful to wear. | | | | increasingly prefer it to older, oily compounds. |
| Think about a thick, long-lasting layer of silicone | | | | Is this a "polish", like my oculist uses? |
| surrounding it. You'll be very comfortable. And you | | | | No. Just the opposite. It prevents friction. It does |
| don't have to re-apply it every hour, as you | | | | not wear down the device, it makes it more |
| would with saline solutions. | | | | comfortable. You need yearly checkups, to have |
| Is there any need for professional prosthetic eye | | | | rough spots polished away. Usually there is a |
| care? | | | | build-up of salt and protein deposits on the eye in |
| In some patients, thick mucus may build up. The | | | | one year's time. Polishing removes these |
| artificial eye must be removed and washed off | | | | potentially irritating deposits. The ocularist will also |
| from time to time. In most instances, mucous | | | | evaluate the eye's fit, which can change. (Source: |
| buildup can be washed off the prosthesis and out | | | | Artificial Eye Clinic, Virginia). |
| of the socket by using an irrigating solution | | | | Do I have to take it out? |
| without removing the prosthesis. (This information | | | | No, but your doctor will want to. If you take it |
| comes from the doctors at the Wills Eye Institute | | | | out regularly at home you can irritate your |
| in Philadelphia.) | | | | socket. Today's artificial eyes generally need less |
| Of course, you need a continuing relationship with | | | | attention due to improved fitting and polishing |
| your Ocularist, just as you would with any doctor | | | | techniques. Also, by using an Si lube, you will have |
| or specialist who has performed a major | | | | little discomfort. Some people never take it out |
| procedure on you. | | | | between office visits. We used to think all artificial |
| Let's go back to silicone. A lot of people say it's | | | | eye wearers should remove and clean the |
| great, but who says it's safe? | | | | prosthesis regularly. You may still want to. It's |
| The Food and Drug Administration in Washington. | | | | easy to get the orb in and out. Your ocularist can |
| It has approved medical-grade silicone for use in | | | | show you, and tell you what to use to clean it. |
| prosthetic eye care. The FDA judges all | | | | Silicone? |
| over-the-counter health products and the | | | | Nice try. Si is a great lubricant. It's not a cleanser. |
| ingredients used. You have to prove your formula | | | | |