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Blind and Visually Impaired Community

Full History - 2020 - 12 - 26 - ID#kkibro
20
Blind in left eye since birth. Thinking about getting a prosthetic eye due to various conditions. I got fitted for a prosthetic shell but it is uncomfortable to wear due to the position of my eye. (self.Blind)
submitted by [deleted]
[deleted]
BenandGracie 9 points 2y ago
Both my eyes are fake, and everyone thinks they are real. They are very comfortable.
vwlsmssng 8 points 2y ago
I can't tell which is the shell. They've done a good job. I've no personal experience but I'm told they can be comfortable enough to wear 24/7 and that daily cleaning with the right product is important.
anarcap 4 points 2y ago
Neither do I. I would guess the real eye is the right one just because it faces the camera in the first picture. That's it.
K-R-Rose 1 points 2y ago
You’re supposed to clean them everyday??? Ha, well I haven’t cleaned mine in actual years. Never had an issue
TK_Sleepytime 5 points 2y ago
I've never worn a shell but I have a prosthetic eye. Things that have made it uncomfortable even when it "looks great" are: debris stuck to it or a speck missed when they polished it down - this feels like sandpaper or just plain burning and inflammation. Also, the wrong thickness in the back - because my eyelid droops some they tried to fill out my socket for a "better looking" fit, but you know what? No, that shit hurts. It puts pressure behind my eye and on my bottom lid and it always felt too heavy like I could lose it.

They should have taken into account the position of your eye when they created your shell. If you have not done so already, I would suggest going back for a re-fitting so they can adjust the shell you have before going the extra step of a prosthetic eye.

But mostly I wish for you to be comfortable, I'm sorry it's been a struggle.
[deleted] [OP] 2 points 2y ago
Thanks for the info. They said that I couldn't wear the shell because the irritating feeling is it scratching against my cornea. And since the edge of the shell is where my cornea is (since my eye faces inward) the ocularist thinned it out a bunch in the corner.
The only ways to get make the shell wearable are to A. Get a gunderson flap where they put tissue on top of my eye to desensitize it. And B. To have strabismus surgery to center the eye.
I also have glaucoma which I need to daily use Eyedrops and lately my eye has been irritated more. And having the shell while having to put in drops that are already semi irritating and the possibility of my eye getting irritated under the shell on a regular basis makes taking the whole eye out probably the better option.

Or I can just leave it as it is. You know, self acceptance. But I've struggled with social anxiety and self esteem issues my whole life and I really just want the chance to have two normal looking eyes, aside from the fact that I won't have glaucoma/cataract anymore if they remove it.

Can you see the ocularist /optometrist person again to get it refitted so it's comfortable?
The other thing they said was the body can reject the implant so they have to kind of do trial and error until it works.
TK_Sleepytime 2 points 2y ago
You have great reasons for wanting the implant and I certainly hope you can find a comfortable solution. I think that the ability to re-fit depends largely on the type of implant you are getting and the integration involved. If you have not talked to your doctors or ocularist about the differences between options, please do so. I've had two eyes refitted by the ocularist when needed but my prosthesis is not pegged. The ocularist was able to make the adjustments and it fits perfectly now!
[deleted] [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Is there one option better than the other? What is your experience with the prosthetic, the procedure and the healing and day to day life. I know everyone is different and will have their own experience, but I'm curious what to look out for.
Also, weird question, do you know if I can like keep the eye? I mean, I would feel kind of weird that they just toss it after they remove it. I know that's weird but I'm just curious.
TK_Sleepytime 3 points 2y ago
I'm not the best person to ask because my eye was removed so long ago that newer options were never a possibility for me. If your eye muscles still work, you may be a candidate for muscular integration for movement of the prosthesis. Pegging can also help with movement. Obviously these options are more complex procedures with different healing times and rejection odds. I have an acrylic eye that moves only slightly but everyone assumes it moves and they don't notice. I can remove it as I wish similar to a shell (I have an implant sewn in behind tissue to keep the shape needed for a prosthesis over it.) If you want to keep your eye you will have to sign a lot of paperwork in advance, but it is possible in the US (at least, I know someone who was allowed to keep their extra toes after removal). However, depending on the health of your eye that may not be realistic - my eye was basically jellified and popped after removal, super fun to read that surgical note lol.
eversincenewyork 3 points 2y ago
I have a scleral shell! I love mine. I’m sorry to hear it’s uncomfortable - mine bothered me for a few days but i eventually got used to it. everyone is different, of course. if you have any questions about it let me know! have you talked about it with your ocularist?
[deleted] [OP] 3 points 2y ago
Thanks! Yeah I tried it twice. Once initially, but I couldn't even keep my eye open. And second time the doc put a numbing drop and then I was able to wear it for two hours but it got really irritating /stinging feeling, which I assumed it was the numbing drop. But the sensation didn't go away. Then it started to hurt.
The doc said the numbing drop should have worn off, it's the shell scratching the cornea. Because my cornea is sensitive, or because my eye isn't centered, the edge of the shell is touching it.
You can pm me definitely! I haven't talked to anyone about this who has experience.
BlueIr1ses 1 points 2y ago
I had a painful, blind eye. I had it removed and was fitted for a prosthetic about 16 years ago. Best decision I could have made for myself! My pain was gone and my prosthetic looks better than the eye I had. $1 has lots of great info for people going through the process.
[deleted] [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Thank you. I'm debating getting the shell or a full prosthetic. I'm nervous that keeping the eye underneath will yeild a better result with the shell. But I'm also worried about how my eye will feel underneath long term. I heard the eye socket or lids kind of sink or droop after eye removal, even with that conformer.so I'm unsure which route to take.
I'm also thinking , just bite the bullet and get it removed
BlueIr1ses 1 points 2y ago
It can be a hard decision. I cancelled the original surgery date I had from nerves. My eye muscles were in good shape, so they were able to use the implant that your muscles can grow into for me. I have pretty good movement. My ocularist did a good job building up my prosthetic to help prevent lid drooping, but I do get a little droopy when I'm tired or dehydrated. Significant weight gain or loss can also affect how your new eye will fit. If you're near NY, I highly recommend Andy Gougelman.
[deleted] [OP] 1 points 2y ago
[deleted]
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