Prosthetic Lenses Give Hope to People with Ocular Disfigurement

Every year thousands of people, including children, suffer serious and often permanent eye disfigurement. Removing the stigma associated with ocular disfigurement is essential to self-esteem. Prosthetic lenses can mask ocular disfigurement and give wearers a whole new lease on life.

When Is a Prosthetic Lens Used?

Eye disfigurement may be due to occupational, athletic or household accidents. It also may be caused by congenital conditions. Some conditions that may require the use of a prosthetic lens include:

• Aniridia, which is a genetic eye condition that is present at birth and almost always affects both eyes. Aniridia literally means "without iris."
• Albinism, which is a group of inherited conditions. People with albinism have little or no pigment in their eyes, skin or hair, and almost always have problems with vision. Eye conditions common in albinism include nystagmus, an irregular rapid movement of the eyes back and forth; strabismus, a muscle imbalance of the eyes, sometimes referred to as "crossed eyes"; sensitivity to bright light and glare; and far-sightedness, near-sightedness or astigmatism.
• Diplopia, or double vision.
• Corneal disfigurements, caused by trauma.

What Prosthetic Lenses Can Do

Thanks to advanced technology, normal appearance can be restored with specially manufactured prosthetic contact lenses. The lenses are custom designed for each patient. Lens designers work to simulate the patterns and colors of the patient's normal eye.

These special lenses are available for sighted or blind eyes. The wearing schedule depends on the eye disfigurement, but many patients are able to wear them daily, removing them at night.

If you require prosthetic lenses, your eyecare professional will discuss the options available to you, including:

• lens color and intensity
• iris pattern
• pupil size
• corrective power
• special cosmetic requirements.

The lenses are produced according to doctor specifications.

Advances in Prosthetic Lenses

Prosthetic lens by Custom Color Contacts in New York are using prosthetic lenses to re-align blind strabismic ("crossed") eyes without the need for surgery. For more information, visit the company's website at www.customcontacts.com.

For More Information

Prosthetic lenses give new hope to patients with disfiguring eye conditions. If you or a family member would like to learn more about prosthetic lenses, please feel free to browse the menu on this page.

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