Vida Trümpelmann

Prosthesis Care & Maintenance

  1. Never clean or soak your prosthesis in alcohol, benzine or peroxide because it will crack the plastic and destroy the prosthesis.
  2. Remove the prosthesis only as necessary. The amount of removal and cleaning varies from person to person, depending on individual circumstances. Too much handling can cause irritation and excessive secretions. If you remove your prosthesis, wash hands thoroughly, wash the prosthesis and rinse thoroughly under hot (not boiling) water.  Store in a clean airtight container without water or solution. Some plastic containers can affect the prosthesis, please check this with your ocularist. (Dry in a dry container).
  3. To clean your prosthesis, use Purity Baby Shampoo, hard contact lens cleaner, e.g. Boston lens cleaner or the cleaner provided by your ocularist. A damp washcloth or cotton ball is also helpful to wipe away softened deposits from the surface. Rinse thoroughly with hot (not boiling) water. Make sure all deposits are cleaned off before storing or re-inserting. The eye should have a glossy shine to it at all times.
  4. If you wish to or need to rinse out the socket, use sterile saline, this is available at the pharmacy and is found in the contact lens solution section of the store. We recommend saline without preservatives, such as Refresh or Cellufresh. To sooth and calm the socket when irritated, a product such as Hylo Dual Intense or Similasan Allergy Eye can be used. Otherwise use the “Socket Soother” recipe below. The socket can also become inflamed and produce mucus when the prosthesis is too small. Changes must then be made. Contact your ocularist. A new prosthesis is needed after approximately 5 years.
  5. Any eye drops that your doctor may have prescribed for you can be used with the eye in place. It helps to lean your head back in a lounge chair or sofa for a few minutes to allow the drops to reach behind the prosthesis. Do not use “Fucithalmic” eye drops when wearing the prosthesis.
  6. Keep the eye moist at all times. Your tear layer in most cases will provide all the lubrication needed. If required however a lubricating drop can be used. This drop can be beneficial against dryness, especially on extra dry days i.e. : Celluvisc, Hylo Dual Intense and Duratears gel.
  7. Finally it is very important that you return routinely AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR to have your prosthesis checked and polished. This will prolong the life of the prosthesis and make it look better and feel more comfortable. If any problems should arise, be sure to call us and ask questions.
  8. For Major irritation : Contact us for advice but preferably see your Ophthalmologist.

Socket Soother

  • 1 Teaspoon Salt
  • 1 Teaspoon Bicarb
  • 2 Cups boiling water
  • ½ Teaspoon Borax

Dissolve altogether and cool. Use an eye bath to administer.