comparison

We provide both types of artificial eyes for our patients. Therefore, you can make your choise.

However, the prostheses of special glass possess some essential advantages over the acrylic material.

We would like to show you with this page the advantages and disadvantages of both philosophies. We have compared them and have made them more comprehensible with the help of some pictures.

special glass		acrylic material
advantages	disavantages	avdantages	disavantages
smoother surface, because it´s fire polished	breakable	basically not breakable	rougher surface, because it´s mechanically polished
better tolerable, because it´s inorganic material	a little cooler than the acrylic eye. Therefore a little more noticeable during the winter	in winter thermal a little more favorable than the glas eye	less tolerable, allergic reactions on the material may be possible
good to moisten. The tear fluid forms a gliding film on the glass-surface (hydrophilic)			less to moisten. The liquid dispenses itself unevenly on the acrylic surface, it is rejected (hydrophobic)
The artificial eye of special glass is made in presence of the patient within a single session and can immediately be insert and worn. There is no reason for a second visit to the Ocularist. However, for patients who have a long distance to the ocularist the production of a "replacement prosthesis" would be recommendable.			The patient must visit the Ocularist at least two times. At the first visit measurement, form and color are determined. The final adjustment of the prosthesis is made at the second visit. The production of a prosthesis for the transitional period would be recommendable.

Here you can see pictures of an experiment with a fluorescent liquid. The different behavior of the liquids should be shown on the surface of an artificial eye of special glass and one of acrylic material.
Both prostheses are moistened with a liquid drop.
The different reactions of the liquid can be recognized easily. The different tensions of the surface between liquid and the materials are responsible for this phenomenon.

special glass	acrylic material

The fluidity behavior on the glass surface (which can be coverd by the tears) is quite natural.		The acrylic surface rejects the drop.

The liquid dispenses itself over the glass surface evenly.		On the acrylic surface (which doesn´t get coverd by the tears) it comes to a formation of drops.

In the case of the artificial eye made of special glass, there is always an even distribution of the liquid covering the surface. The tear fluid acts as a gliding film between lids and prosthesis.		By the prosthesis of acrylic material an interruption of the tear fluid can occur. The liquid forms drops. These can irritate the lids and can lead to inflammation.


Unworn artificial eye of special glass: The fire polished surface appears more smooth also with extreme enlargement. (Notice the 25-fold stronger enlargement opposite the other pictures !)	Unworn artificial eye of acrylic material: Additionally to the surface defects, there are also recognizible the parallel dispersed scratches (for these prostheses typical). These are produced at the last stage of the manufacture, at the polishing.

Artificial eye of special glass: 1 year wearing time Scratches, from inferior depth and expansion, dispersed into different directions are recognizable.	Artificial eye of acrylic material: 1 year wearing time Many defects, with until 150 µms, are recognizable, which make this prosthesis comparable to a microscopic "grater".