Manufacturing process
Maintaining traditional methods which have served patients for 100+years alongside embracing digitalisation and modern printing methods has become embedded in the service’s culture.
Using a custom-made lens attachment, a photograph is taken of the patient’s iris whilst at their clinic appointment. The lens attachment occludes yellow striations from the iris leading to a colour accurate digital image (CADI) of the iris.
The photograph and a wax pattern of the patient’s socket are then sent to our laboratory based within our head office in Blackpool, Lancashire.
Historically, we have used ‘patterns to indicate to the technician how the iris should be painted and to identify veining and staining required.
The technician will mix the correct shade for the sclera (white) of the eye with the help of these patterns.
These skills remain important to the service and will be used where necessary during the appointment.
The photograph taken at the appointment is uploaded to our secure server and is used by our Ocular Technicians to handpaint the iris and to produce the bespoke artificial eye or cosmetic shell making it unique to the individual patient.
At the end of manufacture, the artificial eye is polished and inspected before being returned to the clinic for the patient’s fitting appointment.
