The Hollow Ocular Prosthesis

When an exenteration procedure removes the entire orbital contents but not the eyelids, a skin grafted socket is often created.  This abnormally large orbital pocket would then require an equally sized volume enhancing flush fitting ocular prosthesis.  And, if one can be inserted beyond flaccid eyelids, another factor to contend with would be the weight of the solid acrylic prosthesis, since it would rest on or in the lower fornix and could cause distortion of the lower eyelid and/or asymmetrical alignment of the entire palpebral fissure.  This condition did present itself in 1984, which led to the development of a hollow (floating) plastic prosthesis in our laboratory.  (See Publications)  So, out of necessity developed a light and comfortable wearing prosthesis for an immobile (exenterated) cavity.

Figure 24A The lighter weighted hollow prosthesis demonstrates its buoyancy.  This would reduce any pressure on the lower eyelid structure.

Figure 24B The flaccid upper eyelid collapses completely over the skin grafted socket.

Figure 24C The orbital volume enhancing hollow prosthesis restored a near symmetrical lid aperture.