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This is necessary to stimulate the socket tissues and boney orbit to grow at a normal rate. In the case of a congenitally small eye orbit, the socket and lid opening is actually smaller than the companion eye. Because of this difference in size, a series of conformers are necessary to stretch the tissues and form a socket into which a prosthetic eye can later be fit. The conformer is usually enlarged once a month or as necessary to increase orbital volume as circumstances allow. Most conformers are made of clear plastic, but if the socket size has adequate volume an actual prosthesis can be made to match the companion eye. Making a prosthesis is especially helpful for the child's appearance and self-image. There are also surgical procedures now available that implant an inflatable silicone implant that will help increase the orbit volume. A select group of ocular plastic surgeons around the United States that have specialized in this procedure and can provide you with more information about the results to date. We have two websites on our related links page that deal with Microphthalmia. Retinoblastoma is another concern for parents of the infant/child. We found some very good website on this subject that explains the disease in simple English that is easy to understand. The following links for those sites is provided for you convenience. Retinoblastoma When a child's eyes are fully developed, usually by the age of eight, the prosthesis will generally remain the same shape and size for a longer period of time. However, it is necessary to enlarge the eye periodically or fabricate a new prosthesis from time to time. This determination is normally made through yearly or bi-yearly exams with the ophthalmologist and ocularist providing treatment.
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Microphthalmia
is a congenital condition found in infants who suffer from an abnormally formed
eye.
The
prosthesis procedures varies from those for adults, since a
prosthetic eye generally must be enlarged every few months to expand the
socket.