Ocular Prosthesis: What you need to know and the current challenges in Nigeria

Abstract

Ocular prosthesis (OP) is the replacement of natural eye by an artificial material following eye removal. OP is also called artificial eye; it gives no vision but improve the quality of life in an anophthalmic patient. OP is mainly used following ocular destructive surgery (evisceration, enucleation and exenteration.). Evisceration is the removal of intraocular content leaving scleral and optic nerve, while enucleation is the removal of the whole eye ball including the optic nerve. Exenteration is the removal of the whole eye including: optic nerve, eye adnexial and part of orbital bone. There are various challenges facing the usage of OP in Nigeria. There is a need to create awareness on the importance of ocular prosthesis, its use, types and production as well as the need to set up school of Ocularistry in Nigeria.