After eye removal surgery

• Keep the wound as dry as possible. You may shower, as long as the wound doesn’t get wet. You should not swim for the first three weeks.
• Start anticoagulant therapy after the eye removal in consultation with your doctor.
• Use eye drops, gels, or ointments as directed on the prescription.
• Use an extra pillow when you sleep, and avoid lying on the side with the eye that had surgery.
• After eye removal—with the exception of the LUMC—a temporary prosthesis is inserted into the eye socket. This serves to maintain the shape of the socket and prevent adhesions. The type of temporary prosthesis varies from hospital to hospital. At the AMC Amsterdam, they place an oval plastic ring (PMMA)—known as a conformer—between the implant and the eyelids. At the Eye Hospital in Rotterdam, the doctor inserts a temporary glass eye prosthesis immediately after the eye removal. The temporary prosthesis must remain in the socket for five to six weeks until the socket is ready for the fitting of the permanent eye prosthesis.
• In some cases, it may be helpful to wear an eye patch after surgery. You can buy one at the pharmacy or order a custom-made eye patch in advance.

• Some complications may occur after the eye has been removed. Sometimes these complications do not appear until long after the surgery.
• The implant may be rejected. This occurs in about 5 percent of cases. You will notice that it becomes partially exposed. This is usually accompanied by a significant amount of discharge.
• A small amount of discharge is normal. If you have a lot of discharge, contact your eye doctor.
• Persistent pain. If you were already experiencing a lot of pain before the surgery, there is a 5 percent chance that your pain will persist. In that case, ask for a referral to a pain management team.
• Some people experience phantom images for a while after surgery.

If you have lost your sight as a result of an eye removal and have one or two ocular prostheses, this has a major impact on your daily life. It’s not just about seeing or not seeing, but also about sensation, confidence, orientation, and emotional coping. On this page, you’ll find information and practical tips for blind people with one or two ocular prostheses. We also refer you to organizations that can provide further assistance.