With the aid of an artificial eye or ocular prosthesis, individuals can regain their confidence and live without social stigma. Oculoplastic, orbital and lacrimal specialist Dr Evelyn Tai from Universiti Sains Malaysia Specialist Hospital (USMSH) said prosthetic eyes offer patients a second chance to face the world with confidence.
“The absence of an eyeball is not merely a cosmetic issue, but one that affects emotions and self-worth. Some patients experience depression and psychological stress after losing an eye, especially when it has to be removed due to disease to save their life.
“While prosthetic eyes cannot restore vision, they help patients regain confidence in their appearance, which has a profound impact on their overall well-being,” she told Bernama.
According to Tai, technological advances have made it possible to produce prosthetic eyes that closely resemble the patient’s natural eye. “With a well-fitted prosthetic, it’s often difficult to tell the difference from a natural one,” she said, adding that the cost of an orbital implant and prosthetic eye is about RM500 for one eye.
She explained that prosthetic eyes are usually custom-made to match the colour of the iris and size of the pupil of the original eye.
“Ready-made prostheses tend to look noticeably different, which is why most patients are better suited to custom-made ones,” she said, noting that the process of making a prosthetic eye is quite similar to fabricating dentures.
Tai highlighted that not all patients who lose an eye are automatically referred for prosthetic fitting. “Patients need to be examined by an ophthalmologist to determine whether their eye socket is suitable for a prosthesis.
“Usually, those who lose an eye due to an accident, cancer, severe infections or congenital deformities are referred for artificial eye fitting,” she said.
Fitting an artificial eye involves two main components: the orbital implant that fills the empty eye socket, and the eye prosthesis that functions as the outer part, like a large contact lens.
“The orbital implant helps the artificial eye move more naturally and provides better support for the prosthesis. Without the implant, the prosthesis may not sit properly and could make the eyelids appear uneven,” she said.
“Usually, those who undergo eye-removal surgery need an implant, which can be made from either synthetic materials or the patient’s own tissue. The latter is preferable as it reduces the risk of mucosal erosion and exposure of the implant over time.”
The implant, Tai said, is placed beneath the mucosal layer to support the socket structure. Patients needing six to eight weeks to recover after the procedure, after which patients are referred to a prosthodontic specialist for the fabrication of their prosthetic eye.
USMSH has its own expertise in producing artificial eyes, led by Dr Nor Aidaniza Abdul Muttlib, who told Bernama that the fabrication process begins once the patient’s eye socket has stabilised.
The prosthesis is made in USMSH’s laboratory using acrylic resin (polymethylmethacrylate) – a lightweight, biocompatible, durable and cost-efficient material that is easy to shape.
“The process involves several clinical and laboratory stages, including taking an impression of the eye socket, creating a wax model, colour matching with the natural eye, and final finishing,” she outlined.
“The result is a highly accurate prosthesis that closely resembles the patient’s original eye.”
Nor Aidaniza said patients are taught how to insert and remove the prosthesis, which can be worn continuously even during sleep. “However, the prosthesis should be cleaned once a month using clean water and a mild soap with a near-neutral pH,” she added.
She said some patients mistakenly believe an artificial eye can restore their vision. “We explain to them that its purpose is purely aesthetic, to make them look like other people so they don’t feel inferior or ashamed.”
Children, she noted, are often the most affected as they may be teased or misunderstood by others who do not fully grasp their condition.
USMSH’s expertise has benefited hundreds of patients, including 29-year-old Zainan Alif Zahari from Kampung Permatang Sungkai in Pasir Puteh, who lost his left eye at age seven after it was accidentally stabbed with a pen. His damaged eye had to be removed and replaced with a prosthetic one.
“I’ve been using it since then. My prosthetic has been changed seven times so far to adjust to the changes in my eye socket as I grew up. Now I’m changing it again as it feels loose and uncomfortable,” he said when met by Bernama.
He acknowledged that after he received his prosthetic eye, he initially felt self-conscious. “I used to feel embarrassed to go out, but now I’m just grateful that I can still see with my remaining eye and continue working.
“I’m much more confident now because my artificial eye looks natural and doesn’t hurt,” Zainan concluded.