Patient Results Gallery

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  Do ocular prosthetics move?

The movement of the eye is not going to track 100% with your companion eye. The motility of the prosthetic eye is possible by the rectus muscles wrapped around the orbital implant working in unison with the companion eye.

 The measurement of the prosthetic eye’s motility over the orbital implant depends on various factors, such as your preoperative condition and postoperative recovery.

Does health insurance cover ocular prosthetics?

Many health insurance plans, including Medicare, recognize an ocular prosthesis (prosthetic eye) as medically necessary and typically cover at least a portion of the cost as Durable Medical Equipment (DME). However, full (100%) coverage is not guaranteed, and the exact amount covered depends on your specific Medicare plan, the Medicare-approved amount for the service, and other factors.

Since our office is a non-participating provider with Medicare, we do not accept assignment as standard practice. This means:

• We will file your Medicare claim as a courtesy on your behalf to help simplify the process.
• Medicare will reimburse you directly (typically 80% of the approved amount after your Part B deductible is met, assuming the claim is covered).
• You remain responsible for paying our full fee upfront or as arranged, and then you may receive reimbursement from Medicare for their covered portion.
• You may also be responsible for the remaining 20% coinsurance, any deductible not yet met, and any difference if our charge exceeds the Medicare-approved amount (known as "balance billing").

We have plans and pricing options designed to work with our Medicare patients as best we can—please feel free to reach out to our office directly to inquire about them.

If you have questions about what to ask Medicare or need guidance on verifying your benefits, please contact our office—we're happy to assist you every step of the way.

How long does an ocular prosthesis last?

Most people will need a replacement anywhere from 3-5 years. Socket tissue can change over time causing movement, lid drooping, and poor fitting of the prosthesis. Replacement of shells is also recommended for the same time frame. Shrinking of the eye or settling of the tissue can cause the same effects.

How often should a prosthetic eye be polished?

Cleaning the eye removes external coats of dried mucus from the surface of the prosthetic eye. Also, the removal of these deposits that would be touching the inter-palpebral zone of the socket enables the eyelids to close smoothly and help prevent adverse reactions like GPC (giant papillary conjunctivitis). This is recommended and should be done on a regular basis. Depending on the patient's environment, once every six months to a year is usually sufficient. 

How often should I remove my prosthetic eye?

When a prosthetic eye is removed and reinserted, it is certain that the micro-environment of the socket is disturbed to some extent. The main signs of the socket’s response to this procedure are conjunctival irritation and extreme mucus discharge.

Will the eye socket still have normal tear flow?

Surgery to remove your eye usually doesn’t affect the body’s ability to lubricate the socket creating natural tears. Although the ocular prosthesis is made of hard acrylic plastic which doesn’t hold lubrication easily, this sometimes causes an overproduction of tears. Tearing and mucous are significantly affected by the patient’s environment and health. Some examples of this include allergies, working in dusty environments, air conditioning or fans directly hitting the area of the socket. 

Should I lubricate my prosthetic eye?

The ocular prosthesis is made of a hard acrylic substance not able to absorb the moisture or natural tears as fast as your natural conjunctiva, causing them to evaporate on the surface. Also, if eyelid function is limited, dry eye could be a problem requiring the use of artificial lubricants. Consult with your ocularist and ophthalmologist if you have any questions or concerns.

Should I wear protective eyewear?

With the removal of an eye, you are only monocular in site so it is highly recommended that you wear a pair of glasses with shatterproof polycarbonate lenses. Even if no prescription is required in the companion eye, glasses are an exceptional means of protection.