Glossary of Terms: Artificial Eyes and Ocularists

Artificial Eye – An artificial eye is an acrylic eye that can restore the appearance of the face.

Ocularist – the person who makes your artificial eye.

Prosthetic Eye – another name for an artificial eye. The word prosthetic simply means an artificial part of the body.

Eye Prosthesis – yet another name for an artificial eye.

Glass Eye – before the use of acrylic, artificial eyes were often made out of glass. This is very rare now, but may still be required in some special situations.

Enucleation – an operation where the globe of the eye is removed and a surgical implant is fitted to replace it.

Evisceration – involves replacing the contents of the globe with a surgical implant. Both enucleation and evisceration involve the conjunctiva being sutured across the front of the implant.

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