I need to get glasses, any particular kind I should purchase?

I’ve been wearing glasses as long as I can remember.  The last few pairs I’ve gotten have had polycarbonate lenses. They offer good protection in case an object were to strike your lenses. When I work around power equipment like a line trimmer, chainsaw, bench grinder, etc.,  I also slip a pair of safety glasses over the [...]

Do you get eye strain and headaches more easily since your good eye is working harder?

Yes, I think that my good eye is moving and tracking more, versus someone with 2 working eyes.  If I want to see something on my left side, my right eye has to move way towards my nose. If I work on a computer for the better part of the day, I do get headaches [...]

Can you watch 3-d movies?

I have watched a few 3-d movies. With only 1 working eye, I do not see the picture like someone with normal vision watching with 3-d glasses. If I am given 3-d glasses, I chose not to wear them. In my opinion, the picture looks better without the glasses, versus watching the movie through a red or [...]

When is a good time to tell children of your disability?

My children never asked me why my eyes looked different sometimes. I shared my story with them when they were middle school aged. If they pushed to know earlier, I would have shared at that time. The response I got was, ‘What are you talking about.’  They had no idea one of my eyes was man-made, a tribute to excellent [...]

How do you handle your greatly reduced peripheral vision?

I wear an artificial eye on my left side, so my left is my blind side. Using a clock comparison, if I look straight ahead, I’d guess I can see between 10 o’clock and 4 o’clock. If someone approaches me from my blind side, obviously I can not see them. One trick I use is to watch the eyes of [...]

How is an artificial eye made?

I’m not an ocularist, so this is based on my most recent customer experience.  Ocularists, if I miss an important step please send a comment : The old artificial eye is removed and the socket is inspected by the ocularist. The eye socket is filled with a cement-like mixture.  After the mixture sets, the mixture is removed from the [...]

Does your artificial eye move when your “good” eye moves?

My artificial eye moves a little. A technique was developed a number of years ago which allows the artificial eye to move/track along with the “good” eye. The procedure involved the creation of an artificial eye with a post on the back and a base into which the post would fit. The base would be surgically attached to [...]

How much does an artificial eye cost?

It depends on where you live. In the United States, an artificial eye would typically cost 1500-2500 USD. The amount you pay will depend on the health insurance you carry. An artificial eye is considered durable medical equipment. I’ve found most insurers will pay 50% of the cost.

Can I play sports with an artificial eye?

I have played a variety of contact and non-contact sports without issue. The key is protection. This is especially true when playing sports where someone could hit you in the eye or a ball could strike your eye. If you only have one good eye…protect it by wearing protective eyewear like Rec Specs:  http://www.sporteyes.com/recspecs.htm

Can I drive a car with vision in only 1 eye?

I have been driving a car for decades. I feel I am as good of a driver as the next person. I wear an artificial left eye, so one adjustment I make to my car is to install a simple “fish eye” mirror to the driver’s side mirror. That small mirror helps me see cars in [...]