The making of artificial eyes used to be a staple part of the optometrist's training and the links with the contact lens industry are particularly strong since both areas of manufacture shared common origins. Opticians never exercised [1] a monopoly over their production, however, as prosthetic eyes were also made by hospital technicians, many of whom had a background in dental technology. With ever increasing specialism figure 1 shown below this activity has now developed into a profession of its own, with those concentrating solely on the manufacture of eyes becoming known as ocularists.

Figure1: Artificial Eye

Artificial Eye Technology is a visual prosthetic system. It is used for replacing dead or damaged eyes. This technology uses a camera that interacts with the brain to simulate the optic nerve. This is a cosmetic process to enhance the appearance of a person with eyes that have been removed. It is not really an eye but it serves as a cover to the eye socket. The artificial eye is also called a fake eye or glass eye.

The dimensions (horizontal and vertical) are measured by an Ocularist.

He paints the iris. The iris button is selected to resemble the patient’s eye diameter. It ranges between 10 to 13mm in diameter.

The hand carving of the wax molding shell is done. It has an aluminum button for iris. This is inserted in the eye of the patient. 2 relief holes are also made in the wax shell.

The impression of the eye is [2] made using a powder from seaweed called alginate. This is also used by dentists to make impressions of gums. This powder is mixed with water and placed behind the wax shell. This gels within 2 minutes thereby giving the impression of the eye socket.

EPI retinal Encoder: A retina encoder is used to replicate the information processing by the retina. A radio signal is used to send the visual patterns to the ganglion cells. This is done using a digital signal processor.

Apposite Facial Function

One more favorable benefit of a prosthetic eye is that it gives our body a chance to work. For example, after losing an eye if an artificial eye is not immediately settled, the eye socket might begin shutting, and the eyelid should get drained and quit working properly.

Improving Physical Appearance

Individuals who are feeling the loss of an eye or both don’t feel good continually wearing a bandage. There are very few alternatives for people with this handicap unless they pick a prosthetic eye.

Working up a Better Personality

A few people choose to have an artificial eye to show signs of improving their identity and to be resembling whatever is left of the world. It is not agreeable for many people to demonstrate their inability in the general population, given the look and inconsiderate questions stranger ask to them.

Boosting up Confidence

Having a prosthetic eye that shows up precisely like the other eye indeed builds a person’s confidence since they at no time in the future seem to have an inability. The artificial eyes help to boost up the confidence of the people who don’t have an eye.

References:

1. https://www.college-optometrists.org/the-college/museum/online-exhibitions/virtual-artificial-eyes-gallery/introduction-to-artificial-eyes.html
2. https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/what-is-artificial-eye-technology/

Cite this article:

Nandhinidwaraka.S (2021) An overview of Artifical Eye, Anatechmaz, pp. 34