Sunken Prosthesis (Fake Eye)

When an eye is lost, its volume has to be replaced. When this is not done properly, the fake eye (prosthesis) will look sunken in. You do not have to live with uneven eyes! Orbital Lipostructure and Dermis Fat Graft are the procedures used to replace the lost volume using your own fat. Artificial implants can also be used. Surgery is done usually under general anesthesia and takes between 30 min and 1 hour.

What should you know about a Sunken Fake Eye

Orbital volume replacement can be done at any time after the initial trauma or surgery that led to  the loss of the eye. The most effective procedures used today are those that utilize your own fat. The fat can be either injected with a needle (Lipostructure) or grafted as a patch of skin and fat (Dermis Fat Graft).

Orbital Lipostructure is a method of collecting your own fat cells from areas where they are found in excess (belly or thighs) using a fine canula (special blunt needle) and injecting it into the eye socket. Typically two sessions of Lipostructure are necessary at 6 months to 1 year interval to achieve the desired result.

The Dermis Fat Graft has the advantage of providing both space under the eyelids and volume.  This is useful when there is not enough space under the eyelids to wear a prosthesis.

Read more about Loss of an Eye.

Surgery

These procedures are usually done under general anesthesia and take about an hour. Most patients go home the same day. A patch is worn over the eye for a couple of days. Antibiotic and pain medication are to be taken for a few days after surgery. A conformer (a rigid transparent prosthesis) is placed under the eyelid at the end of surgery to keep the space open for the final prosthesis. This conformer has to be kept in place at all times to avoid shrinkage of the fornix  (space under the eyelids).