Management of external ocular prosthesis by ocularists: results of an online survey conducted in Brazil and Spain.

PURPOSE

To analyse the ocularist's perspective on the management of the anophthalmic socket and external ocular prosthesis (EOP).

METHODS

Ocularists from two countries were invited to participate in an online questionnaire. Data were collected on demographics, anophthalmic socket and EOP management (manufacturing, use, cleaning), complications, follow-up visits and multidisciplinary care. The frequency and proportions of the responses were statistically analysed.

RESULTS

The questionnaire was addressed to 20 Brazilian and 17 Spanish ocularists, obtaining a response rate of 65% and 64.7%, respectively. 62.5% of respondents were men. The most common cause of anophthalmia in Brazil (69.2%) and Spain (36.4%) is an eye disease (chi square: p = 0.188). Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is the most commonly used material in EOP manufacture (chi square: p = 0.448), and 70.8% reported using customized EOPs (chi square: p = 0.069). Deposits are frequently observed in both countries (chi square: p = 0.157). Changing the prosthesis is recommended after 5 to 10 years by Brazilian ocularists, and after less than 5 years of use by Spanish ocularists (81.8%) (chi square: p = 0.041). Annual follow-up is recommended by Spanish ocularists (45.5%), while semestral (38.5%) and case-dependent (38.5%) follow-up is recommended by Brazilian ocularists (chi square: p = 0.267). Daily cleaning is advocated by 61.5% of Brazilian ocularists and once a month by 45.5% of Spanish ocularists (chi square: p = 0.098), with 75% of ocularists from both countries not recommending EOP removal at night (Fisher´s exact test: p = 0.166). Good communication between ocularists and ophthalmologists was reported by 87.5% of our responders (chi square: p = 0.642).

CONCLUSION

Although there are no unified protocols on the management of EOPs, Brazilian and Spanish ocularists follow similar guidelines. Differences between countries were the patients´ referral and the prosthesis´ useful life.