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Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Customizing a Cryolite Glass Prosthetic Eye
Published on: October 31, 2019
Features and management of an acute allergic response to acrylic ocular prostheses
Vikesh Patel1, David Allen, Ana M S Morley
1CorneoPlastic Unit, Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, UK.
Purpose:
To report the occurrence, causes and treatment of an acute allergic response to the acrylic resin used in ocular prostheses.
Methods:
Retrospective review of presenting history, clinical findings and treatment of two cases.
Results:
Both patients developed an acute onset hypersensitivity reaction thought to be due to the acrylic resin found in the ocular prosthesis. The first patient was successfully switched to a glass eye. The prosthesis of the second patient was treated with an extra long curing cycle, after which, the patient was able to tolerate their prosthesis with no complications.
Conclusion:
The residual unpolymerized monomer that is present within poly-methylmethacrylate (PMMA) can rarely cause an allergic reaction. As an alternative to a glass eye the prosthesis may be subjected to an extended curing cycle converting more of the monomer to polymer.
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