Replacement Time of Custom Ocular Prosthesis in Children: A Review Article - Beryl Carvalho - Eyes Alive

Jain S, Idris KIA, Al Omar NEM, Atiah AY, Atiah AY, Aggarwal A. Replacement Time of Custom Ocular Prosthesis in Children: A Review Article. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2021 Jul-Aug;14(4):558-561. doi: 10.5005/jp-journals-10005-1978. PMID: 34824514; PMCID: PMC8585896.

Abstract

The aim and objective of this article is to analyze the published literature on the replacement time of ocular prostheses in children. A systematic search of Indexed English literature up to November 31, 2020, was conducted. Data from PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane library were searched for relevant manuscripts. Predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria were used by assessors, who inspected 910 manuscripts and selected 7 manuscripts, after analyzing their full texts. Because of the constant growth of the orbital socket in children, the ocular prosthesis has to be replaced till the growth of the orbit is complete. Custom ocular prosthesis requires recurrent relining or replacement, in growing children. The rate of relining or replacement of the prosthesis varies according to the growth of the orbit. Children with ocular prostheses should be appointed biannually or quarterly for routine examination. Yearly replacement or relining of the prosthesis should be conducted. Various factors, like patient comfort, age, signs, and clinical assessment, should be evaluated before relining or replacing the old prosthesis.

Introduction

Loss of any vital organ of the body is a traumatic experience. In pediatric patients, loss of an eye is very common. Some of the most common reasons for the loss of an eye in pediatric patients are malignancy, trauma, congenital disorders, and infections.¹

This loss of an eye, not only makes a child physically handicap but also has an everlasting psychological effect on him. Because of the constant growth of orbital sockets in a pediatric patient, it is necessary to replace this missing eye with an artificial prosthetic eye at an early stage. The shape and volume of the enucleated orbital socket should be preserved as any delay in the replacement prosthesis can cause asymmetrical growth of the enucleated side. This can cause major esthetic problems in the adult stage of life.

Various articles relate the growth of the orbital socket with the age. Literature available also suggests that as the child grows, the ocular prosthesis has to be replaced regularly with a new larger ocular prosthesis, till the growth is complete. This is necessary to prevent shrinkage of orbit and for adequate development of soft tissue and eyelids.² There are no clear criteria that can guide the maxillofacial prosthodontist, regarding when and how frequently this prosthesis should be replaced in growing pediatric patients. This manuscript presents an overview of literature related to the growth of orbital bone and the need for replacing ocular prostheses in pediatric patients.

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