Accetability of orbital prostheses.

This study was made to determine if those patients apparently dissatisfied with an orbital prosthesis might accept an eye patch more readily. The study included 27 patients who were seen during the past 8 years. A total of 60 orbital and eye patch proshteses were prepared for the patients. Eighteen patients responded to the questionnaire. Twelve of these patients are presently wearing their prostheses, and five of them are not. Reasons given by the patients for not using their prostheses were discomfort, lack of retention, skin irritation due to daily application and removal of the adhesive, change in defect, ill-fitting prostheses, and surgical reconstruction of the site. The study shows that given a choice, 67% of the patients would prefer the orbital prosthesis. Seventy-five percent of the patients who had an eye patch would prefer an orbital prosthesis.