Prosthetics / Ocular
Ocular Prosthetics & Scleral Shells.
Custom prosthetic eyes and ultra-thin scleral shells — hand-fitted for natural movement, lifelike color, and a result that quietly disappears.
Custom prosthetic eyes and ultra-thin scleral shells — hand-fitted for natural movement, lifelike color, and a result that quietly disappears.
A custom ocular prosthesis is fitted after surgery, enucleation, or evisceration — whether the cause was cancer, trauma, or congenital condition. A scleral shell is an ultra-thin cover designed to go over a blind eye, restoring symmetry without removing tissue.
Each prosthesis is crafted from medical-grade acrylic, hand-painted and polished to mirror your remaining eye under any lighting. With a precise impression and skilled fitting, natural-looking movement is the standard, not the exception.
Ocular prostheses are typically replaced every 3–5 years — body fluids gradually absorb into the material, the socket changes shape, and weight fluctuations affect fit. Tearing, mucous discharge, or new discomfort are usually signs it's time. We re-fit, refinish, and recolor as your body changes.
A precise impression captures the exact contours of your socket, forming the foundation for a prosthesis that sits and moves naturally.
Your ocularist shapes the prosthesis to fit your anatomy, refining the curvature, depth, and proportions visit by visit.
The iris is hand-painted to match your remaining eye — capturing flecks, ring patterns, and depth that change with the light.
Final surface detailing, vein blending, and polish are applied. We fit, demonstrate cleaning and handling, and schedule your follow-up.
Real results from real patients. All images shared with patient consent.
“The staff are very professional. They scheduled my appointment around my schedule and walked me through every step.”
Jorge leads ocular prosthetic work at the Center for Custom Prosthetics. A bilingual specialist with 12+ years in custom ocular, scleral shell, and facial prosthetics, his 10 years of prior dental practice give him a rare anatomical fluency — every fit, every painted iris, every polished surface benefits from that precision.
An ocular prosthesis is a custom artificial eye fitted after the eye has been surgically removed (enucleation or evisceration). A scleral shell is an ultra-thin custom cover designed to fit over a blind or disfigured eye that is still in the socket, restoring symmetry without any tissue removal. Both are hand-painted to match your remaining eye.
A custom ocular prosthesis is typically replaced every 3 to 5 years. Over time, body fluids gradually absorb into the acrylic, the socket changes shape, and weight fluctuations can affect fit. Polishing and re-coloring during routine maintenance visits can extend the life of the prosthesis significantly.
Yes. When fitted properly over an intact orbital implant or healthy socket, a custom ocular prosthesis tracks naturally with your remaining eye. The precision of the impression and the skill of the ocularist determine how lifelike the movement looks day-to-day.
Yes. VA benefits cover 100% of the cost of custom ocular prosthetics and scleral shells for eligible veterans, and we coordinate the paperwork directly with the VA. Many private insurance plans, Medicare, and Medicaid also cover medically necessary ocular prosthetics — we’ll verify your benefits before treatment.
The standard fitting process takes four visits: impression, sculpting, intrinsic coloring, and extrinsic coloring with final delivery. Most patients complete the process over several weeks. Complex cases or pediatric fittings may require additional appointments.
Most patients can leave the prosthesis in place for weeks at a time. Periodic removal for cleaning with mild soap and water keeps the surface clear of protein deposits. We recommend professional polishing once or twice a year to maintain a smooth, comfortable surface and reduce mucous buildup.
New tearing, increased mucous discharge, or discomfort that wasn’t present before are common signs that your prosthesis needs attention. Significant weight changes or socket changes after surgery can also affect fit. Schedule a refit visit any time the prosthesis no longer feels or looks the way it did at delivery.
Schedule a consultation with Jorge Franco-Canales — no obligation, just a conversation about your options.