F.A.Q.
The prosthesis is fitted in day surgery. It is inserted under the eyelids like a large contact lens.
The temporary prosthesis, fitted to substitute the transparent conformer which is normally inserted by a surgeon immediately after the surgery, is a prosthesis with the same characteristics as a made-to-measure prosthesis (coloured iris, sclera and vessels) but it is not customised.
It is fitted to enable the patient to have a quick aesthetic recovery before the scarring is complete after the surgery.
The temporary prosthesis, mentioned with code 06.30.21.048.on the estimate of cost, is given back to the patient once the customised prosthesis is fitted and must be shown to the ophthalmologist during the check-up visit.
A completely white or colourless prosthesis must not be accepted by a patient as a temporary prosthesis.
Absolutely not. The patient doesn’t feel any type of pain. From the age of 5/6 children are trained to fit and remove their own prosthesis for cleaning.
Yes. Once the prosthesis is fitted it should only be removed for cleaning and then should be reinserted straightaway. It is essential that the patient wears the prosthesis all through the night, above all in the case of patients who have had enucleation and who have successively undergone radiation therapy to avoid contraction of the conjunctival tissues.
With patients wearing a prosthesis on an atrophic eye it may be necessary to remove it during the night.
The prosthesis should be cleaned at least once a week. In the case of illnesses such as a cold or conjunctivitis where there is abundant secretion, the prosthesis should be cleaned daily until complete recovery from the illness.
Correct maintenance of the prosthesis helps to avoid phenomena such as irritation of the conjunctiva.
In illnesses like colds there is a generalised inflammation of the mucous of the nose and the eyes.
In such cases it is necessary to use eyedrops, you should go to your ophthalmologist who will give you a prescription. Together with the eyedrops the nose should be washed out frequently to decongest the nasal mucous and to consent good tear drainage.
The instillation of artificial tears aids the prosthetic tolerance by rendering the mucous that is present more fluid.
Because the eye socket and eyelids undergo modifications with the passing of the years: growth of the socket and eyelids in children, ageing of the tissues in adults, fat atrophy.
The cast permits us to follow the evolution of the socket/eye and of the tissues in the course of time, consenting us to adapt the new prosthesis to the new characteristics of the socket.
The colours of the iris and of the sclera are realised by different personalised mixtures for every patient, as is the vascularisation. These elements also change in the course of time and require continuous monitoring and adjustment of the prosthesis.
The ocular prosthesis must always be kept clean in order to avoid inflammation of the conjunctiva present in the atrophic socket/eye. Cleaning of the prosthesis must be carried out with a neutral liquid soap, soaping the prosthesis well and rinsing it in running water. The prosthesis must then be dried with a throw-away tissue, before being reinserted.
It is imperative to avoid using contact lens liquid, alcohol or other substances which could cause the surface of the prosthesis to deteriorate.
Whenever the prosthesis has to be removed it must never be left to soak in any sort of liquid, rather it should be washed, dried and replaced in its specific container without cotton or any other wrapping.
Absolutely not. The eyedrops can be applied directly on the prosthesis.
Adult patients (assisted by ASL): the prosthesis can be changed every three years but it is advisable to polish it once a year. The doctor who issues the prescription can anticipate the substitution of the prosthesis if and when he should deem it necessary (modification of the socket, surgical operations etc.).
Adult patients assisted by INAIL: the prosthesis can be changed every two years but it is advisable to polish it once a year. The INAIL doctor who issues the prescription can anticipate the substitution of the prosthesis if and when he should deem it necessary (modification of the socket, surgical operations etc.).
For young children and minors under the age of 18 the prosthesis should be changed every time there is a modification of the eye socket. This can range from a month to a year according to the age of the child and the specific clinical case and will be evaluated by the medical ophthalmologist who issues the prescription.
It is sufficient to use artificial tears in the form of eyedrops several times a day to avoid the irritation and eventual hyper-secretion due to the dryness of the prosthesis.
If dryness should be manifest upon awakening, before falling asleep in the evening an ophthalmic ointment with vitamin A can be applied directly on the prosthesis.
Absolutely not!
The therapy must always be effectuated with the prosthesis fitted, apart from when it is removed for cleaning. Then eyedrops or ointment can be applied directly into the socket before refitting the prosthesis.
Warning: in the case of radiated sockets If an inflammation or infection subsists never remove the prosthesis for a few days or even just a few hours, a contraction of the socket can occur and it becomes impossible to fit the prosthesis correctly into the socket.
It is always advisable to consult our medical staff.
Patients are examined by our medical and prosthetic staff on their first consultation.
The specialist doctor will evaluate whether or not it is necessary for the patient to undergo a surgical operation on the socket or eyelids, in order to obtain an improved aesthetic outcome,
Successively to the operation a new customised prosthesis will be fitted.
Cleaning, but only external, of the prosthesis can be carried out, as long as there is no secretion, using special foam/soap which is used specifically for the eyelids. It is however necessary to remove the prosthesis for its proper cleaning, as suggested earlier.
To know how to clean the prosthesis visit the following page:
Come pulire la protesi
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