How to Insert a Glass Eye

A "glass eye," also known as an ocular prosthesis, is an artificial eye used when a person has had an eye surgically removed. During surgical removal, a ball implant is placed in the eye socket and the patient then can place a prosthesis on top of it. While ocular prostheses have been made of glass in the past, today 99 percent are made of acrylic plastic because acrylic resists scratches and breakage. Glass is used only as an attempt to cure recurring conjunctivitis or when a person is allergic to acrylic.

Things You'll Need

• Bathroom sink
• Ocular prosthesis
• Hand soap
• Towel
• Bathroom mirror

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Instructions

• 1

  Close the sink drain. You may also wish to cover the drain with a towel to prevent the prosthesis from being lost down the drain.

• 2

  Wash your hands and the prosthesis itself with a non-abrasive hand soap that is free of fragrance and moisturizer.

• 3

  Identify the orientation of the prosthesis. This can often be done by locating a reddish color on the inner punctal (tear duct) area of the prosthesis. If your vision is poor, your prosthesis may have notches that you can feel for instead.

• 4

  Pull your upper eyelid out and up high enough to create a space.

• 5

  Hold the prosthesis between your thumb and middle finger. Slide the prosthesis up underneath the upper eyelid. You may pull down on your lower eyelid to help position the prosthesis.

• 6

  Hold the prosthesis in place with your index finger. Pull your lower eyelid down to allow the prosthesis to fall below the lower eyelid.

• 7

  Ensure that the prosthesis is correctly positioned.