Lift the upper eyelid with your index finger to keep your eyelashes out of the way. Squeeze the suction cup and gently place the tip on the middle of the prosthesis while releasing pressure to create the suction. While pulling gently on the suction cup and the prosthesis, depress the lower lid downward and pinch it inwards slightly toward the socket. The prosthesis should come out easily. Keep your other hand below the socket, or work over a table covered with a bath towel in case the eye should come loose from the suction cup.

The artificial eye may be washed in mild soap like Ivory liquid and water or "hard contact" lens cleaning solution. This will remove most of the surface accumulations and reduce irritation to the eyelids. When washing the prosthetic eye, you may rub it with a moistened Kleenex to remove surface secretions. Make certain you rinse it thoroughly before reinserting. Regular tap water is perfectly acceptable for this procedure.

For heavier mucus deposits, soak the eye prosthesis several hours or overnight in 3% hydrogen peroxide in a small container using enough hydrogen peroxide to cover the prosthesis.

After soaking, rinse the prosthesis in water. Place the prosthesis back in the container and add one half teaspoon of baking soda with cold water: soak an additional 30 minutes. This neutralizes the hydrogen peroxide. Wipe the surface of the prosthesis with a damp Kleenex to remove any residual protein deposits: rinse well with water or soft contact lens saline solution and reinsert.

Do not clean the prosthesis with abrasives (cleaners, polishing compounds, tooth polish) or sterilizing agents, such as alcohol, Lysol, iodine and other chemical solvents, which will attack acrylic and should also be avoided.

The best cleaning method is that described above using hydrogen peroxide and water followed by baking soda and water. 

You should have your plastic artificial eyes polished by your ocularist approximately once a year or more often if a special problem exists, such as excessive discharge, poor eyelid action, or if you do not remove the eye yourself. 

The cleaning and polishing not only adds to the lifetime of the prosthesis but it improves comfort and restores the luster for a more natural lifelike appearance.

 

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