Socket changes over time
The socket changes quite rapidly during the first year or two following removal of the natural eye and later changes occur less quickly. The initial prosthesis may therefore need to be replaced after 1 or 2 years, while subsequent prosthetic eyes should last 5 to 8 years. Children under 18 need more frequent replacements to keep pace with their growth.
Mucoid discharge associated with prosthetic eyes
Mucoid discharge is the second highest concern of prosthetic eye wearers after health of their remaining eye.
Health of the remaining eye
For people with monocular vision it is especially important to have the good eye checked every two years by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. It makes good sense to detect and treat eye problems before they become serious. Many conditions that affect the natural eye also affect the socket containing the prosthetic eye, e.g. dry eye syndrome.
The videos below demonstrate how insert, remove and clean a prosthetic eye:
Print copy: Inserting, removing and cleaning your prosthetic eye