Restoring your image and your life.

A.B.C.
– American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics, Inc.
Anopia
– The absence of an eye.
Anophthalmia
– Congenital absence of the eyes.
Anterior
– Front surface.
Anterior Chamber
– The fluid-filled space inside the eye between the iris and the cornea’s innermost surface.
Artificial Eye
– An ocular prosthesis made of acrylic plastic.
A.S.O.
– American Society of Ocularist.
B.C.O.
– Board Certified Ocularist.
Canthus
– The corner on each side of the eye formed by the junction of the upper and lower eyelids.
Collarette
– A color ring around the pupil.
Conformer
– An acrylic plastic shell used to help form the eye socket and support the eyelids after surgery.
Conjunctiva
– The mucous membrane that covers the implant and the inner surface of the eyelids.
Cornea
– The transparent covering of the eyeball that is continuous with the sclera.
Cul-de-sacs
– Tissue pockets within the eye socket cavity.
Edema
– Swelling.
Enucleation
– Surgical removal of the entire eyeball. Replaced by an orbital implant and fit with an artificial eye.
Evisceration
– Surgical removal of the iris and cornea. Replaced by an orbital implant and fit with a scleral shell.
Extraocular Muscles
– The six muscles connected to the eyeball that control eye movement.
Flashes
– Commonly reported as streaks of light, when the retina tears, sometimes leding to retina detachment.
Floaters
– Commonly reported as spots floating in front of the eyes, when the retina tears, sometimes leding to retina detachment.
Glaucoma
– Group of diseases characterized by intra-ocular pressure, resulting in damage to the optic nerve fibers.
Implant
– A spherical device placed in the eye socket to replace the orbital volume after removal of the eye or its contents. Normally made of acrylic plastic, silicone, or a bio-compatible material.
Inchemia
– The restriction or blockage of blood flow through a blood vessel.
Inferior
– Lower, as in inferior eyelid.
Iris
– Colored portion of the eye.
Limbus
– The colored ring between the iris and the sclera.
Macular Degeneration
– Loss of the photoreceptors in the macula region of the retina, resulting in decreased central vision.
Medial
– Towards the nose.
Microphthalmia
– Abnormally small eye.
Monocular Vision
– Seeing with only one eye.
Mucosa
– Mucous membranes.
Nasal
– Towards the nose.
N.E.B.O.
– National Examining Board of Ocularist.
Ocular Prosthesis
– An artificial eye made of acrylic plastic.
Ocularist
– Specialist in making of ocular prostheses.
Oculoplastic Surgery
– Subspecialty of opthalmology dealing with diseases and reconstructive aspects of the eyelids.
Opthalmologist
– An eye care professional that specializes in the diagnosis and medical treatment of eye diseases and disorders.
Phthisis Bulbi
– Shrinking of the eyeball following injury, infection, or disease.
Posterior
– Back surface.
Prosthetic Eye
– An artificial eye made of acrylic plastic.
Ptosis
– Drooping of upper eylid.
Pupil
– Black spot in the iris.
Retinal Detachment
– Usually caused by a retinal tear, which leads to decreased vision and sometimes blindness.
Sclera
– White portion of the eye surrounding the iris.
Scleral Shell
– A thin artificial eye that fits flush over a blind, malformed, or injured eye.
Stroma
– Main body color of the iris.
Sulcus
– Upper eyelid depression.
Superior
– Upper, as in upper eyelid.
Tarsus
– Plate-like framework within the upper and lower eyelids that provides stiffness and shape.
Temporal
– Towards the ear.

 

Did you know…

Southeastern Ocularists, Inc. opened our Charlotte, NC office in 2001.

Prepare for your visit

For your convenience, we have provided first-time patient and insurance documents for you to fill out ahead of time before you come into the office.  This will save you the hassle and allow you to fill out the information on your own time. 

DOWNLOAD DOCUMENTS HERE

 

Did you know…

While the process is similar around the world, every ocularist has their own techniques and methods they use to make an artificial eye.  The American Society of Ocularists hosts regular meetings throughout the year where these methods are discussed and studied in order to expand knowledge in the field.

Time for a new prosthesis?

Eye prostheses should be regularly polished and adjusted, if needed, each year.  Although, it is recommended to have a new prosthesis made every 5 years if you are 21 or older and every 2 years if you are younger than 21.  Polishing and resurfacing should be done at least 2 times a year.

 

Did you know…

Prior to World War II, ocular prosthetics were made of specialized blown glass.  During and after World War II this glass became increasing difficult to obtain in America.  The United States military, along with a few private practitioners, developed a technique of fabricating prostheses using oil pigments and plastics. Since World War II, plastic has become the preferred material for the artificial eye around the world.  Acrylic plastic revolutionized the art and process of making ocular prosthetics.

In comparison to glass, acrylic provided better comfort and fit. Glass artificial eyes frequently needed replacing and broke easily. Acrylic improved the techniques for making artificial eyes such as impression molding, blending and allowed for easier changes in shape, color or size of an ocular prosthesis.