title: Use of custom-made conformers in the treatment of ocular defects.
abstract: The loss of an eye is often followed by scar tissue contracture. The purpose of this article is to describe a procedure for fabricating acrylic resin ocular custom-made conformers to maintain socket size and contour. These custom-made ocular conformers act as an interim measure and as valuable diagnostic indicators of problems experienced by the patients. While stock conformers merely maintain the socket size and prevent scar tissue contractures, the custom-made conformers can also be used to enlarge unfavorably small sockets, stimulate eyelid movement, aid hygiene, help the clinician develop the final shape for the definitive prosthesis, and reduce the amount of postinsertion adjustments needed. These advantages and the ease of fabrication make custom-made conformers a viable initial treatment option in patients with ocular defects.
authors.affiliation: School of Oral Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. 03LSYKE@COSMOS.WITS.AC.ZA
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Sykes
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Essop
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Veres
mesh_terms: D003286:Contracture / Q000517:prevention & control; D005137:Eye, Artificial; D006801:Humans; D009915:Orbit / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000293:injuries*; D020273:Orbital Implants