The glass spherical hollow orbital implant: a prospective study

Abstract

Objective: Various types of orbital implants are in use in the rehabilitation of anophthalmic patients. The latest is the expensive hydroxyapatite implant. The study objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of low cost glass spherical hollow implants, as primary and secondary implants.

Setting: St Michaels and Frazer Private Hospitals, Colombo.

Study design and method: 65 patients had glass sphere orbital implants between 1987 and 1995; 51 primary (evisceration 46, enucleation 5) and 14 secondary (evisceration 2, enucleation 12). At 9 to 12 months follow up, patients were evaluated for mobility of implant, prosthesis mobility, lid sulcus deformity, cosmetic results and complications.

Results: Primary glass spherical hollow implants provide excellent mobility of the implant (92%), cosmesis (88%), prosthesis mobility (67%), with a low rate of complications (9.5%). Results of primary implant was superior to that of secondary (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Excellent results were obtained with spherical glass spheres as primary implants following evisceration.