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12 Regent Street, Nottingham, NG1 5BQ
29 New Cavendish St, London, W1G 9TU
Handmade glass & acrylic bespoke prosthetic eyes made in the UK.
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Will the eye prosthesis move?Achieving natural-looking movements with prosthetic eyes is crucial for those seeking ocular prosthetics. Conversational movement, where the eyes move slightly during everyday conversations, is what we aim for. At John Pacey-Lowrie, we strive to achieve this movement in all our ocular prosthetics, and anything extra is a bonus. Most prosthetic eyes can move a small amount - left, right, up, and down. However, if your eye socket moves and your prosthetic eye is molded to fit your socket correctly, the prosthesis will move. During an initial consultation, we can somewhat ascertain the likelihood of movement. However, we cannot accurately predict the percentage of movement before this appointment. It is essential to remember that we can only make the prosthesis move as much as your eye socket allows. At John Pacey-Lowrie, our ocular prosthetics experts prioritize natural-looking movements and take into account each patient's individual circumstances and needs. Contact us today to learn more about our prosthetic eye solutions.
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Do you provide ocular prosthetic services to children and infants?Yes, John Pacey-Lowrie, the ocularist behind the John Pacey-Lowrie Ocular Prosthetics clinic, treats children and infants. In fact, the clinic specializes in creating custom prosthetic eyes for patients of all ages, including infants and children as young as one year old. The team understands the unique needs and challenges that children and infants face when it comes to ocular prosthetics and provides compassionate and personalized care to ensure that the prosthetic fits comfortably and looks as natural as possible. If you have a child in need of an ocular prosthesis, you can trust the experienced team at John Pacey-Lowrie Ocular Prosthetics to provide high-quality care.
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Will the prosthetic eye be the same colour as my human eye?At John Pacey Lowrie, our goal is to create an ocular prosthesis that blends seamlessly with your natural eye. Our experienced team carefully matches the color of the prosthetic eye to your seeing eye, ensuring that it looks as realistic as possible. During the painting process, we will keep you involved every step of the way, showing you our progress and listening to your feedback to ensure we get the colours just right. We are committed to your satisfaction, and if we see that there are improvements that can be made, we will gladly make them. Our priority is to provide you with an ocular prosthesis that you are completely happy with, and we won't rest until we achieve that.
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I live abroad, can I order a prosthesis online?"At our London and Nottingham clinics, we specialize in creating unique and personalized artificial eyes and cosmetic shell prostheses. We don't offer pre-made or stock prostheses - each one is hand-fitted and hand-painted to meet your specific needs. You won't find any "one-size-fits-all" solutions here. Our team takes the time to work with you and create a prosthetic that looks and feels natural. So, if you're looking for a truly bespoke prosthetic, you've come to the right place. For our patients traveling from abroad, such as India or the USA, we offer the option of making two prosthetics at the same time to ensure they have a backup in case of any mishap. Additionally, if you have previously received a prosthesis from us and require a polish, you can send it to us by post and we will take care of it.
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How often should I have my prosthetic eye cleaned?We recommend that you have your artificial eye professionally removed, descaled, and cleaned in an ultrasonic bath, polished, and reinserted twice a year to prevent a natural buildup of protein from forming on the prosthesis, which can make it feel gritty and irritating. However, the frequency of cleaning may vary depending on your individual circumstances, such as your job, socket health, and general health. Some wearers may require more frequent cleaning, while others may only need it once a year. By keeping your prosthesis clean, you can avoid discomfort and ensure its longevity.
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How long will the prosthesis last for?While PMMA artificial eyes are built to last a lifetime, they do require careful handling. When inserted into the eye socket, they are surrounded by protective fat, muscle, and connective tissue. For children and teenagers, a new prosthesis may be required more frequently, depending on their age and growth. Typically, new prosthetics are necessary every year or two for younger patients. For adults, we recommend a new prosthesis every 5 to 6 years. Over time, physical changes may occur, which can affect the fit and appearance of the prosthesis. Changes in eye color or pigmentation, slight bulging or sinking of the socket, drooping eyelids, or calcium and cholesterol salt deposits on the cornea can all necessitate a new prosthesis. While cryolite glass prostheses are a long-lasting option, they must be replaced every two years to ensure optimal fit and comfort. If you're considering an ocular prosthesis, talk to a prosthetics specialist about whether cryolite glass is a good choice for you. During a check-up, we can assess whether you need a new prosthesis and recommend the best course of action. With proper care and maintenance, your artificial eye can provide you with a comfortable and natural-looking replacement for your natural eye.
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Do you make glass eyes as well as plastic (PMMA)?Absolutely! Our company takes pride in offering both PMMA and Cryolite Glass ocular prostheses, which makes us one of the very few in the market that can provide both options. With our extensive experience and expertise, we can help you decide which type of prosthesis is best suited for your unique needs and preferences. Whether you opt for the durable and long-lasting PMMA or the natural-looking and reflective Cryolite Glass, we guarantee that we can provide you with a high-quality and custom-fit ocular prosthesis that will help you regain confidence and restore your visual symmetry. You can learn more about this on our Services page!
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Can I clean my prosthesis myself?We highly recommend having your artificial eye professionally removed, descaled, cleaned in an ultrasonic bath, polished, and reinserted twice a year. However, we understand that it may not always be possible, and sometimes the need to clean your prosthesis can be urgent. In such cases, we recommend the following general guidelines for removing and cleaning your prosthesis: Wash your hands thoroughly before handling the prosthesis. Use a small bowl or container to safely clean the prosthesis. Add a small amount of washing-up liquid to warm water and gently clean the prosthesis with your hands. Thoroughly rinse the prosthesis under lukewarm running water to ensure all washing-up liquid has been removed. Dry the prosthesis with a microfibre cloth or towel, making sure there are no particles left on it. Once the prosthesis is clean and dry, you may reinsert it into the eye socket. Alternatively, you can purchase a hard contact lens solution to clean your eye and add some lubrication for comfort. It's essential to follow the instructions and read the health and safety notice provided with the solution. In addition to the options of professional cleaning and cleaning at home, we also offer a cleaning service by post. If you're unable to visit our clinic for professional cleaning or prefer not to clean it yourself, you can send your prosthetic eye to us by post and we will clean it for you using our ultrasonic bath and other specialized techniques. Our team will carefully clean and polish your prosthesis before returning it to you by post. Please contact us for more information on this service.
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Can I get my prosthesis insured?There are insurance companies out there that specialise in prosthetics insurance. However, not all of these companies offer insurance for ocular prosthetics (this could be due to the fragile nature of glass prostheses). However, it's always worth getting in touch and finding out for yourself! If you need any help or advice on this subject please get in touch!
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How long will it take to make my prosthesis?Just 3 days! Following your initial consultation (which is free if you go ahead with the manufacture) , we will schedule a consecutive 3-day appointment that suits you best: On day one, we will take an impression of your socket with alginate, which is the only invasive part of the process and is done in less than a minute. After that, we start shaping and molding a temporary wax mold, which we will need to test in your socket to ensure a perfect fit. Your feedback on how the wax mold feels will determine the final shape of your prosthesis. Day two is the longest day of the process, lasting about 2 hours, as we begin painting the iris. We use your remaining eye as a color reference to ensure that we capture all the unique splashes of color and flecks that make your eye special. After you leave this appointment, we will continue working on your prosthesis overnight, ready for you to collect on day three. On day three, we will provide you with your new prosthesis and ensure that you are satisfied with the outcome. If you have any issues with the prosthesis, such as discomfort or dissatisfaction with the color, we will work to address them at no additional cost to you. If you are unable to attend in person, we also offer a postal service for those who require a replacement or a clean. Just send us your prosthesis, and we will take care of the rest, returning it to you as quickly as possible. Get in touch today to book your intial consultation.
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What should I expect from my initial consultation with you?During your initial consultation, we will thoroughly examine the condition of your socket and your current prosthesis (if you have one). This will enable us to determine whether or not you require any surgical intervention before the prosthesis can be made. If we find that surgical intervention is necessary, we will put you in touch with experienced surgeons who can assist you in this regard. We'll also take this opportunity to answer any questions you may have and help manage your expectations. Please note that without this consultation, we cannot proceed with the manufacture of your prosthesis, except under special circumstances. This consultation is crucial in ensuring that we create a prosthetic eye that meets your specific needs and requirements. In some special circumstances, we may be able to conduct the initial consultation online via video. This can be useful for those who live far away or have difficulty travelling to our clinic. During the video consultation, we will still be able to examine the condition of your socket and current prosthesis (if you have one) and answer any questions you may have. However, if surgical intervention is required, an in-person visit may still be necessary.
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Can I still play sports whilst wearing a prosthetic eye?Absolutely! However, it's important to remember that common sense is key when it comes to protecting your ocular prosthesis. For example, if you plan to go swimming, we recommend wearing goggles to prevent any water from entering the eye socket and damaging the prosthesis. Similarly, if you participate in contact sports like rugby, we suggest removing the prosthesis and wearing a patch to protect the empty socket. Carelessness could result in damage to the device or loss of the prosthesis, so it's crucial to take necessary precautions to protect both the prosthesis and your eye socket at all times.
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