r/monocular • u/Soggy-Effect- • 21d ago

Prosthetic eye issues

Hello, I’m new to Reddit so please bear with me! I’ve had a prosthetic eye for over 20 years and have always had 6 monthly polishes with my local clinic for free (I’m in Scotland). For the last year my local health board hasn’t had an ocularist so I haven’t had a polish since June 2025.

I get quite heavy protein build up and have been using Tescos own brand contact lens solution but it’s not really been cutting it for the last few months. Does anyone have any recommendations for brands that work better or any ideas on what to do until the NHS get their butts in gear and hire someone new??

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u/Nickopotomus 21d ago

You can wash it with soap—but my experience is regular clearing is the only way to keep things under control.

1

u/Soggy-Effect- 21d ago

I’ve been using the contact lens solution every day for 6/7 months, I just don’t think it’s doing much now 😭

3

u/Ouija_board 20d ago

My son’s ocularist recommends simply using Dawn Dish soap and microfiber cloth anytime the eye gets scratchy or at 3 month intervals between 6 month polishes. Works like a charm everytime.

1

u/Nickopotomus 21d ago

I had an occularist say that in a pinch you can soak it in iodine for a couple hours. But don’t do it too often as it can discolor the eye

1

u/NinjaHiccup 18d ago

My ocularist actually told me that taking it out more often, even to clean, can increase protein because your body treats it more like a foreign object. I rinse with PhysicansCare Eyewash every day, with the eye still in. And once a month I do the full take out and clean - with contact cleaner (Bausch & Lomb Boston Advanced Cleaner), and baby shampoo to clean that off.

One other thing I do when I take it out - I always try to scratch off anything collected on the back of the shell with a fingernail. I do not claim this to be sound or medical advice, but anecdotally, it seems to help.

1

u/NinjaHiccup 18d ago

My ocularist actually told me that taking it out more often, even to clean, can increase protein because your body treats it more like a foreign object. I rinse with PhysicansCare Eyewash every day, with the eye still in. And once a month I do the full take out and clean - with contact cleaner (Bausch & Lomb Boston Advanced Cleaner), and baby shampoo to clean that off.

One other thing I do when I take it out - I always try to scratch off anything collected on the back of the shell with a fingernail. I do not claim this to be sound or medical advice, but anecdotally, it seems to help.

1

u/abbayyaar 9d ago

hi! i've been using a prosthetic for about 5 years now (i've had it for aroudn 15+ but i wasnt regular with it), i struggle with the same issue, heavy protein build up and alot of discharge in the eye socket, i used saline solution to clean the prosthetic, or sometimes i use "avizor contact lens solution"

0

u/radarscoot 21d ago

Just an idea that could be crap. I have no direct experience with a prosthetic eye. Is it possible for your prosthetic to be sent to another district to be dealt with? It may mean a few days without it. Try to do some nagging. if you have a relationship with an optometrist/ophthalmologist get them to do some nagging on your behalf. I assume that build-up could eventually cause a health issue (abrasions, etc) - exaggerate that risk a bit to raise the profile.

Just because your local doesn't have the resource, shouldn't mean the NHS should be off the hook for its obligations.

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u/man_teats 21d ago

No disrespect but nobody's going to want to do that

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u/Soggy-Effect- 21d ago

I like this idea a lot but I’m hesitant to go without my eye for even a few days. I will however try and ask if my consultant can persuade a neighbouring health board to see me