About
Enucleation operation is used to treat eye cancer. The operation is performed to remove the affected eye to prevent further advancement. A second procedure is Evisceration operation, which is used to treat an eye when it has been damaged through an accident and the operation is operation includes the removal of the inside contents of the eye, leaving the outer shell and the muscles intact. In both operations an orbital implant might be used to enhance the orbital volume. After surgery, a temporary transparent plastic shell is put in the eye socket to allow healing and give it shape.
The plastic shell is then replaced with a prosthesis (artificial eye) which is shaped in the form of a large-size contact lens and covers the implanted orbit in the socket of the eye. Instructions on how to remove and clean the artificial eye should be provided.
Causes
Enucleation operation is sometimes necessary to treat eye cancer or severe trauma to the eye if all other treatment options are ineffective. Your doctor will have discussed the treatment options with you and explained that this is the best treatment for you.
Artificial eye (prosthesis)
Once your socket has healed, your ophthalmologist will refer you to the ocularist for measurement and fitting of a temporary artificial eye. This will be similar to your eye but not an exact match. Your final artificial eye will be custom made to match your other eye.
This will involve taking a mold of your eye socket so that it is the exact shape and fits over the orbital implant.
The process is painless and can take up to two hours, but ensures the eye’s shape, size and colour is made to match your own.
The process of making a prosthesis takes about a month and you will be fitted with a temporary prosthesis until your permanent one is ready. Once fitted, your artificial eye will have an adequate range movement. You will be able to sleep with it in place and once the socket is completely healed you can continue with your normal life. Eye make-up can be worn and you can swim or do other water sports (you are advised to wear goggles to avoid loss of the artificial eye). You are also advised to wear eye protection when doing any activity that could cause eye injury. Read More
