Vida Trümpelmann
Polish & Check-ups:
Your prosthesis is something that requires care in order to make it last and to prevent any unnecessary pain and stress like infection, GPC buildup, socket shrinkage, etc.
Every year we request you make an appointment for a polish and check-up. We use the polishing wheels that take off the protein that could be building on the surface of the prosthesis, and finish the cleaning in the ultrasonic cleaner which contains an LDC solution, to remove any other remaining contaminants.
Research has shown that cleaning on Ocular Prosthesis with the right cleaning solution is the most effective way of eliminating any debris, protein or remnant polishing compound from the surface of the Ocular Prosthesis , provided it is made of PMMA.
Coming in for your polish will allow us, your ocularist, to make sure your socket is still healthy and that your eye is still fitting right.
The Finishing Process
The short video below highlights the final polishing and finishing process involved in creating a custom ocular prosthesis.
Cleaning:
Basic rules of hygiene should apply and that hands should be washed before working with their eye prosthesis and handling the eye socket.
The prosthesis needs to be removed before cleaning.
If you are not comfortable with the routine of removing the prosthesis, please visit your Ocularist for instructions.
When in consultation with their Ocularist, assessments will be done whether to remove daily or irregularly.
We recommend you use Purity Baby Shampoo (unscented) or LDC (can be bought at our practice). These products are safe to use to make sure the eye, which is porous, and your socket does not get irritated by chemicals.
Many patients prefer to use a hard contact lens cleaner such as Boston lens cleaner by Bausch and Lomb but others again, prefer to use a mild hypoallergenic substance such as Elizabeth Anne’s baby shampoo. The frequency of cleaning should be determined by the state of the prosthesis and the socket. If the socket is quiet, try the weekly removal time span. Generally, one must not handle the prosthesis too much. If lid closure is a problem, more regular cleaning is advised as well as removal at night.
The best is to discuss with your Ocularist.
