in New Zealand, Prosthetic eyes, also known as ocular prosthetics or artificial eyes, are replacement eyes that are custom-made to match the size, shape, and color of a person's natural eye. They are typically made for people who have lost an eye due to injury or disease, or who were born with a missing or underdeveloped eye.
In New Zealand, the process of making a prosthetic eye typically involves several steps, including the following:
Consultation: The first step in the process is usually a consultation with a prosthetist, who is a specialist trained in the design and fitting of prosthetic devices. During the consultation, the prosthetist will take measurements of the patient's eye socket, as well as gather information about the patient's medical history and desired appearance.
Impressions: To create a custom-fit prosthetic eye, the prosthetist will need to take impressions of the patient's eye socket. This is typically done using a soft, pliable material that is placed inside the socket and allowed to harden. The resulting impressions are used to create a model of the patient's eye socket, which will be used as a guide for creating the prosthetic eye.
Design: Once the impressions have been taken, the prosthetist will use them to create a detailed design for the prosthetic eye. This will typically involve creating a plaster cast of the eye socket, and then shaping and sculpting the prosthetic eye to match the size, shape, and contours of the patient's natural eye.
Painting: Once the prosthetic eye has been sculpted to the desired shape, it will be painted to match the color and appearance of the patient's natural eye. This typically involves layering multiple colors of paint to create a lifelike appearance, and may also involve adding subtle details such as iris patterns or flecks of light.
Fitting: Once the prosthetic eye is complete, it will be fitted to the patient's eye socket. This typically involves making any necessary adjustments to the size and shape of the prosthetic eye, as well as attaching it to the socket using a secure, comfortable fitting mechanism.
Overall, the process of making a prosthetic eye in New Zealand is a highly specialized and precise process that requires the expertise of a trained prosthetist. The goal of this process is to create a prosthetic eye that is as natural-looking and comfortable as possible, and that helps the patient regain their confidence and function.
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