Receiving your first artificial eye is a significant life moment. For many patients, it marks the beginning of reclaiming their appearance, confidence and quality of life. This guide is written to help new wearers navigate the journey with confidence and realistic expectations.
The First Days: What to Expect
When you first receive your prosthesis, it is completely normal to experience:
- A feeling of awareness — you will be conscious of the prosthesis in your socket
- Slightly increased discharge from the socket as it adjusts
- Mild redness or sensitivity of the surrounding tissue
- The feeling that it might fall out — it will not; it is held securely by your eyelids
These sensations typically resolve within 2–4 weeks as your socket fully adapts. Most patients report that after a few months, they forget they are wearing a prosthesis entirely.
When to call us: If you experience significant pain, sudden increase in discharge, swelling, or if the prosthesis falls out frequently — please contact Eye Match Centre immediately at +91 92161 67701. These usually indicate a simple adjustment is needed.
Daily Routine with Your Artificial Eye
Morning
Most patients wear their prosthesis throughout the day. Insert it by gently lifting the upper lid, placing the prosthesis beneath it, then allowing the lower lid to come in front. If you removed it overnight, rinse it with saline before inserting.
During the Day
A well-fitted prosthesis requires little attention during the day. If you experience dryness, artificial tear drops around the socket can provide lubrication. Avoid rubbing the area.
Evening Care
Remove by gently pressing below the lower lid. Clean with mild soap and lukewarm water, rinse thoroughly and store in a clean container with cooled boiled water or sterile saline.
Activities and Sports with an Artificial Eye
Life with an artificial eye is remarkably unrestricted. Most patients return to all their normal activities:
- Swimming: Wear tight-fitting goggles. Rinse prosthesis and socket after swimming.
- Sports: Most sports are fine. For contact sports, consider a protective shield.
- Driving: You can drive with one eye after the required vision assessment.
- Travel: Carry a spare prosthesis if possible. Keep cleaning supplies accessible.
- Work: Completely fine for virtually all professions.
Emotional Adjustment: You Are Not Alone
It is completely normal to experience a range of emotions — grief for the loss of your eye, anxiety about how others will perceive you, frustration during the adjustment period. These feelings are valid and common among prosthetic eye wearers.
Remember: most people will not notice your prosthesis once it is fitted. Thousands of people across India live full, rich, active lives with artificial eyes. Connecting with others who wear prostheses can be enormously helpful.
Long-Term Success Tips
- Visit your ocularist every 6–12 months for polishing and check-up
- Replace the prosthesis every 5–7 years (children more frequently)
- Always handle over a soft surface or filled sink to prevent dropping
- Never share your prosthesis with anyone
- Inform your regular doctor that you wear a prosthesis