Eyes Alive

14/10/2026

👁️ WHEN SHOULD YOU REPLACE YOUR OCULAR PROSTHESIS?
An ocular prosthesis does not only need to be replaced simply because it has reached a certain age.
As we age, our eye socket changes. Tissue and volume can change, eyelids can alter, and children’s facial structures continue to develop. These changes can affect the fit, comfort and appearance of an ocular prosthesis.
Two great relevant research articles available on our website https://www.eyesalive.co.za/more-info/replacement-of-eye-prostheses/ and https://www.eyesalive.co.za/more-info/replacement-time-of-custom-ocular-prosthesis-in-children/
🌸 Signs that it may be time for an assessment
Your prosthesis may need adjustment or replacement if you notice:
• Your prosthesis is sitting deeper than it used to
• It feels loose or uncomfortable
• You are experiencing increased irritation or discharge
• Your eyelid position has changed
• The prosthesis no longer looks as natural or symmetrical as before
• It repeatedly falls out or does not stay comfortably in place
An ocular prosthesis may last approximately five years, but this varies from person to person. Replacement may be needed sooner depending on the condition of the prosthesis, changes in the eye socket or changes in facial structure.
✨ A professional assessment can determine whether you need a new prosthesis — or whether an adjustment or professional polish may be all that is required.
👁️ When was your prosthesis last assessed?
If you are unsure whether your prosthesis still fits correctly, contact Beryl for an assessment.
📞 083 263 1026
💬 WhatsApp: 072 039 6116
Eyes Alive 👁️✨
Professional ocular prosthetic care

14/10/2026

15/09/2026

EYES ALIVE | SEPTEMBER 2026
🌸 Spring has sprung — and with it comes pollen, allergies and other seasonal irritants.
For ocular prosthesis wearers, this can mean increased dryness, irritation or discharge.
But there is another important reason to think about your prosthesis this month:
✨ WHEN WAS YOUR LAST PROFESSIONAL POLISH?
We often talk about professional polishing, but there is good science behind the recommendation.
A study published in Clinical Ophthalmology investigated the buildup that occurs on ocular prostheses. After only two weeks, measurable deposits had accumulated on the prosthesis. Professional polishing reduced the amount of material adhering to the surface and increased its wettability.EYES ALIVE | SEPTEMBER 2026
🌸 Spring has sprung — and with it comes pollen, allergies and other seasonal irritants.
For ocular prosthesis wearers, this can mean increased dryness, irritation or discharge.
But there is another important reason to think about your prosthesis this month:
✨ WHEN WAS YOUR LAST PROFESSIONAL POLISH?
We often talk about professional polishing, but there is good science behind the recommendation.
A study published in Clinical Ophthalmology investigated the buildup that occurs on ocular prostheses. View the article here.
After only two weeks, measurable deposits had accumulated on the prosthesis. Professional polishing reduced the amount of material adhering to the surface and increased its wettability.
In practical terms, maintaining a smooth, clean prosthesis can help improve comfort.
Professional polishing also:
✔ Removes accumulated deposits
✔ Smooths microscopic surface scratches
✔ Restores the polished finish
✔ Improves surface wettability
✔ Can improve comfort
✔ May reduce irritation and discharge
👁️ We recommend professional cleaning and polishing at least once a year. Some patients benefit from maintenance every six months.
🚨 A QUICK SPRING REMINDER
If you have pain, persistent irritation, itching, significant redness or swelling, thick discharge, or a prosthesis that feels loose, please contact Beryl for an assessment.
And if you are booked for an appointment but have a cold, cough, sinus problems, runny nose or flu-like symptoms, please contact us to reschedule.
Illness can cause swelling, redness and watery eyes, which can affect the accuracy of impressions, fitting and colour matching. It also helps protect Beryl and our other patients.
📅 TIME FOR YOUR POLISH?
Don't wait until your prosthesis becomes uncomfortable.
📞 Beryl: 083 263 1026
💬 WhatsApp: 072 039 6116
Eyes Alive 👁️✨
Yours in eyes,
Beryl & Pedro Carvalho

In practical terms, maintaining a smooth, clean prosthesis can help improve comfort.
Professional polishing also:
✔ Removes accumulated deposits
✔ Smooths microscopic surface scratches
✔ Restores the polished finish
✔ Improves surface wettability
✔ Can improve comfort
✔ May reduce irritation and discharge
👁️ We recommend professional cleaning and polishing at least once a year. Some patients benefit from maintenance every six months.
🚨 A QUICK SPRING REMINDER
If you have pain, persistent irritation, itching, significant redness or swelling, thick discharge, or a prosthesis that feels loose, please contact Beryl for an assessment.
And if you are booked for an appointment but have a cold, cough, sinus problems, runny nose or flu-like symptoms, please contact us to reschedule.
Illness can cause swelling, redness and watery eyes, which can affect the accuracy of impressions, fitting and colour matching. It also helps protect Beryl and our other patients.
📅 TIME FOR YOUR POLISH?
Don't wait until your prosthesis becomes uncomfortable.
📞 Beryl: 083 263 1026
💬 WhatsApp: 072 039 6116
Eyes Alive 👁️✨
Yours in eyes,
Beryl & Pedro Carvalho

03/07/2026

👁️ Eyes Alive | July 2026
Hey, Eyes Alive Family!
Winter has certainly arrived! ❄️ We hope you're keeping warm and looking after yourselves.
July is recognised around the world as UV Safety & Dry Eye Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to share a few reminders about caring for your ocular prosthesis—and your remaining eye.
💧 A Few Winter Care Tips
✔ Most prosthetic eyes do not need to be removed every day. Less handling usually means less irritation.
✔ Winter air, heaters and wind can cause dryness. Doctor-approved lubricating eye drops or sterile saline can make a big difference.
✔ Never use household cleaners, toothpaste or alcohol-based products to clean your prosthesis. Warm water together with a mild, unscented soap or an approved contact lens cleaner is all that's needed.
✔ Even with excellent daily care, your prosthesis gradually develops microscopic scratches that can increase irritation and discharge. A professional polish at least once a year (many patients choose every six months) helps keep it comfortable and looking its best.
🛡️ If you have one seeing eye, protect it! Wear quality safety glasses whenever you're doing DIY projects, gardening, using power tools or playing sport. Your remaining eye is priceless.
________________________________________
🚨 Please Reschedule If You're Feeling Unwell
If you have a cold, sinus infection, cough or flu-like symptoms, please let us know before your appointment.
Being unwell can affect the fit of your prosthesis, colour matching during painting and the accuracy of your final result. It also helps protect Beryl and our other patients.
Thank you for your understanding.
________________________________________
📅 Need a professional polish or annual check-up?
📞 Beryl: 083 263 1026
💬 WhatsApp: 072 039 6116
🌐 Online bookings are always welcome.
Stay warm, stay healthy, and thank you for being part of the Eyes Alive family.
Yours in eyes,
Beryl & Pedro Carvalho 👁️✨

06/06/2026

Happy happy birthday, Beryl.
Hope you have a fantastic day.

01/04/2026

👁️ Eyes Alive | April 2026 — Easter!
Hey, Eyes Alive Family!
Wishing you all a peaceful and joyful Easter weekend filled with quality family time.
If you’re travelling, please stay safe on the roads 🚗✨
This month, we continue sharing helpful insights about ocular prostheses, the implants that support them, and how to care for your prosthetic eye.
________________________________________
👁️ AI Overview: Artificial Eye Materials & Lifespan
Modern artificial eyes are primarily made from medical-grade acrylic (PMMA)—a durable, lightweight, and highly customizable material that has replaced glass.
Materials Used:
• Acrylic (PMMA): The modern standard—durable, lightweight, and easy to adjust
• Glass (Cryolite): Older material, less common, ~12-month lifespan
• Pigments: Natural pigments sealed under clear acrylic to prevent fading
________________________________________
⏳ Lifespan & Replacement
• Average lifespan: ±5 years
• Children & teens: Every 6–12 months (due to growth)
Why replacement may be needed:
• Changes in eye socket shape
• Surface wear from tears and proteins
• Reduced comfort or increased discharge
💡 Tip: Regular polishing (every 6–12 months) helps extend lifespan and maintain comfort.
________________________________________
⚠️ Signs You May Need a Replacement
• Poor fit or discomfort
• Increased mucus/discharge
• Visible scratches, cracks, or fading
________________________________________
👁️ Caring for Your Prosthesis
✔ You may sleep with it in (if eyelids close fully)
✔ Scleral shells should be removed at night
✔ Can be stored dry overnight
✔ Clean only with approved products (e.g. Boston Conditioning Solution / Boston Simplus)
🚫 Avoid:
❌ Harsh chemicals
❌ Boiling water
❌ DIY polishing (including rubbing on clothing)
👉 Professional polishing is recommended once a year
________________________________________
💧 Dry Eye & Discharge
Seasonal changes can cause increased dryness or discharge due to:
• Environmental factors
• Allergies
• Prosthesis surface condition
👉 If you’re experiencing discomfort, contact Beryl for an assessment.
________________________________________
🩺 Doctor Visits — Important Reminders
• Remove your prosthesis before examinations
• Any medication unsafe for contact lenses is also unsafe for prosthetic eyes
• Recurring infections may be prosthesis-related
________________________________________
💸 Need Financial Assistance?
We partner with MediWallet to offer flexible options:
✔ 3-month interest-free plans
✔ Extended plans up to 18 months
________________________________________
📅 Bookings
📞 Beryl: 083 263 1026
💬 WhatsApp: 072 039 6116
🌐 Online bookings welcome
________________________________________
Yours in eyes,
Beryl & Pedro Carvalho
@ Eyes Alive 👁️✨

Send a message to learn more

01/04/2026

13/03/2026

👁️ Eyes Alive | March 2026 — Autumn Already!
Hey, Eyes Alive Family!
It’s hard to believe that we’re already moving into Autumn. We thought we’d continue sharing some helpful insights about ocular prostheses, the implants that support them, and how to care for your prosthetic eye.
________________________________________
👁️ Internal Implants Supporting a Prosthesis
When an eye is removed through enucleation or evisceration, an orbital implant is usually placed in the eye socket. This implant replaces lost volume and helps move the prosthetic eye more naturally.
There are two main categories of orbital implants.
Non-Integrated (Non-Porous) Implants
These implants do not allow tissue to grow into them.
They are typically smooth spheres made from materials such as:
• Acrylic (PMMA)
• Silicone
• Glass
The muscles of the eye are attached to a covering material placed over the implant, rather than the implant itself. While reliable and widely used, they do not directly connect to the prosthesis.
________________________________________
Integrated (Porous) Implants
These implants have a porous structure, allowing fibrovascular tissue to grow into the implant over time.
This integration helps improve:
✔ Stability
✔ Motility (movement of the prosthetic eye)
✔ Long-term compatibility with the body
Common porous implant materials include:
• Hydroxyapatite (HA) – a calcium-based material that allows excellent tissue integration
• Porous Polyethylene (MEDPOR) – strong, slightly flexible, and commonly used today
• Bioceramic (Aluminium Oxide) – highly biocompatible and durable
Modern implant designs can even be custom-shaped to better match the natural anatomy of the orbit, improving comfort and cosmetic outcomes.
________________________________________
👁️ Caring for Your Eye Prosthesis — Key Points
✔ You may sleep with your prosthesis in if your eyelids close fully
✔ Scleral shells must be removed at night
✔ Prosthetic eyes can be stored dry overnight
✔ Clean only with approved products (e.g. Boston Conditioning Solution / Boston Simplus)
🚫 Please avoid:
❌ Harsh chemicals
❌ Pouring boiling water over your prosthesis
❌ Attempting to polish it yourself (including rubbing it on clothing)
👉 Professional polishing is recommended once a year to maintain comfort and appearance.
________________________________________
💧 Dry Eye & Discharge
As seasons change, some people experience increased dryness or discharge.
If this happens to you, it may be related to:
• Environmental changes
• Allergies
• Prosthesis surface condition
If you’re experiencing discomfort, please contact Beryl to arrange an assessment.
________________________________________
🩺 Doctor Visits — Important Notes
If you visit an optometrist or ophthalmologist, please remember:
• Remove your prosthesis before examinations
• Any medication unsafe for contact lenses is also unsafe for prosthetic eyes
• Recurring infections may be prosthesis-related
If symptoms persist, we would be happy to assess the prosthesis.
________________________________________
💸 Need Financial Assistance?
Eyes Alive partners with MediWallet, offering flexible payment options:
✔ 3-month interest-free payment plans
✔ Extended plans up to 18 months
________________________________________
📅 Bookings
📞 Beryl: 083 263 1026
💬 WhatsApp: 072 039 6116
🌐 Online bookings welcome
________________________________________
Yours in eyes,
Beryl & Pedro Carvalho @ Eyes Alive👁️✨

Send a message to learn more

02/02/2026

February________________________________________
👁️ Eyes Alive | February 2026 — Ready, Set, Gone!
Hey, Eyes Alive Family!
January has raced by, and just like that, we’re already in February. Time really does fly!
This month, we thought we’d share some interesting and helpful insights about ocular prostheses—their purpose, history, and care.
________________________________________
👁️ What Is an Ocular Prosthesis?
According to Wikipedia:
An ocular prosthesis (also known as an artificial or glass eye) is a craniofacial prosthesis used to replace an absent natural eye following enucleation, evisceration, or orbital exenteration.
A person with an ocular prosthesis is blind on the affected side and has monocular (one-sided) vision.
The prosthesis:
• Fits over an orbital implant and under the eyelids
• Is shaped like a convex shell
• Is most commonly made from medical-grade acrylic (PMMA)
• In some countries (notably Germany), glass prostheses are still widely used
A thinner version, called a scleral or haptic shell, may be worn over a damaged eye.
👩‍⚕️ Ocularists, the specialists who make and fit prosthetic eyes, are surprisingly rare — as of 2025, there are fewer than 200 certified practitioners in the United States.
________________________________________
🕰️ A Brief History
• 2900–2800 BC: The earliest known ocular prosthesis was discovered in Shahr-I Sokhta, Iran — a lightweight artificial eye decorated with gold and worn during the woman’s lifetime.
• Ancient Egypt & Rome: Artificial eyes made from painted clay were worn externally.
• 16th Century Venice: The first glass eyes were developed.
• 18th–19th Century: Paris and later Germany became centres of glass eye production.
• World War II: Acrylic (PMMA) replaced glass in the US due to supply disruptions.
Today, most custom prostheses worldwide are made from acrylic, with glass still used in select countries.
________________________________________
👁️ Caring for Your Eye Prosthesis — Key Points
✔️ You may sleep with your prosthesis in if your eyelids close fully
✔️ Scleral shells must be removed at night
✔️ Prosthetic eyes can be stored dry overnight
✔️ Clean only with approved products (e.g. Boston Cleaner / Boston Simplus)
🚫 Please don’t:
❌ Use harsh chemicals
❌ Pour boiling water over your eye
❌ Attempt to polish it yourself (including rubbing on clothing)
👉 Professional polishing is recommended once a year
________________________________________
💧 Dry Eye & Discharge
Dry eye is common and may cause increased discharge.
If this affects you, contact Beryl to book an assessment.
________________________________________
🩺 Doctor Visits — Important Notes
• Remove your prosthesis for optometrist or ophthalmologist exams
• Any medication unsafe for contact lenses is also unsafe for prosthetic eyes
• Recurring infections may be prosthesis-related — let us assess
________________________________________
💸 Need Financial Assistance?
Eyes Alive partners with MediWallet, offering:
✔️ 3-month interest-free payment plans
✔️ Extended options up to 18 months
________________________________________
📅 Bookings
📞 Beryl: 083 263 1026
💬 WhatsApp: 072 039 6116
🌐 Online bookings welcome
Yours in eyes,
Beryl & Pedro 👁️✨

Send a message to learn more

12/01/2026

👁️ Eyes Alive | January 2026 — Ready, Set, Go!
Hey, Eyes Alive Family!
Compliments of the season 🌿
We wish you all a happy, healthy 2026.
Many people wanted to book appointments before our December break but couldn’t get in. Now is a great time to book, especially for annual maintenance and polishing.
📅 Bookings
📞 Beryl: 083 263 1026
💬 WhatsApp: 072 039 6116
🌐 Online bookings welcome
________________________________________
👁️ Caring for Your Eye Prosthesis – Key Points
✔️ If your eye was surgically removed, you may sleep with your prosthesis in (unless your lids don’t close fully).
✔️ If you wear a scleral shell, it must be removed at night.
✔️ Prosthetic eyes can be stored dry overnight.
✔️ Clean using approved products (e.g. Boston Cleaner / Boston Simplus).
🚫 Please don’t:
❌ Use harsh chemicals
❌ Pour boiling water over your eye
❌ Try to polish it yourself (including rubbing on clothing)
👉 Professional polishing is needed once a year.
________________________________________
💧 Dry Eyes / Discharge
Dry eye is common and can cause increased discharge. If this affects you, please contact Beryl to book an assessment.
________________________________________
🩺 Doctor Visits
• Remove your prosthesis for Optometrist/Ophthalmologist exams
• Medication unsafe for contact lenses is also unsafe for prosthetic eyes
• Recurring infections may be prosthesis-related — let us assess
________________________________________
💸 Need Financial Assistance?
Eyes Alive partners with MediWallet:
✔️ 3-month interest-free plans
✔️ Options up to 18 months
________________________________________
Best wishes for 2026,
Beryl & Pedro 👁️✨

Send a message to learn more