Advanced Ocular Prosthetics

It’s been a busy summer over here at AOP! Especially with all our kiddos. Nothing says “school’s out” quite like getting a new eye, I suppose 🤗 Here’s some eyes we’ve made over the last couple months and a friendly reminder that our Family Support Group is meeting again this fall.

Join us on Saturday October 5th from 2-4pm. Come meet other parents, share experiences, let the kids run around our office! We’ll provide the snacks and drinks, you just bring yourselves.
RSVP by Friday September 27th.

We hope to see you there!

A lovely soft blue set from Bridget this week 👁️

Also, a reminder that our second annual patient picnic is coming up in June. Lynn has already been in contact with many of you but if we haven’t reached out, or maybe we missed you, come join us!
AOP will provide food, drinks, and games!
Saturday June 8th
Settlers Cabin Park
Apache Pavilion
Noon- 3pm

We’ve had a jam packed, kid-filled couple of weeks! Our office has turned into a part time playground (and we love it! 😊🤣)
This seemed like a good time to post an update of the kids’ art gallery. There’s still about 4 pictures that need to go up but we ran out of frames!
I (Emily) also forgot about the Community Sketchbook I made for patients to doodle in. Here’s hoping me finding it leads to more patients exercising those creative muscles 🎨👁️

This week we had the pleasure of having a visitor that many of our patients know and love, Darla!! She popped in from sunny Florida to get herself a new eye ☺️ For those of you who don’t know, Darla is the incredible woman who trained Bridget! Almost 20 years ago!

We had a lovely few days together talking about all the ways that ocularistry has changed since she retired and, of course, sharing all the things we’ve been working on. You’d expect nothing less at a table full of artists, I’m sure.
More than that, we talked about how Darla’s existence in this field has set off a chain reaction. One that hasn’t just changed our lives, but has also lead to the women of AOP changing the lives of hundreds of people!

We love you, Darla! Hope we’re making you proud 🥰❤️👁️

We’re just dropping in to tell you all about our first family support group of the year!
Group will be held on Saturday March 23rd from 2-4pm in the AOP office. Location could be subject to change if we have enough attendees. Please RSVP by Friday March 15th.
A reminder that bringing your little ones isn’t required, if it’s easier to come without them that’s totally okay. These meetings are so parents/families can share information and experiences, the kids being there is just a bonus 😊

We hope to see you there!

Hello again, friends ☺️

Just dropping in to remind you all that our first polish promo of the new year is next month from February 21st-24th. It’s not too late to book your polish appointment! Especially you folks who would love a Saturday time slot 👀

We hope to see you there!!

Mark your calendars!
It’s time once again for our pediatric support group.
This Fall, in our pursuit to provide the best care we can, we’re delighted to include one of our former pediatric patients in our festivities! And can we just say, she and her mom are very excited to come chat with our other families about their experiences. We hope you join us!
‪Refreshments will be provided.‬

Group will be held on October 14th from 10am to 12pm. Location is to be determined and will depend on the number of attendees so please make sure you RSVP by October 1st!

Ask and ye shall receive ✨

Emily painted this brown/green heterochromatic eye for a lovely young lady this week. Even threw in a freckle for a little extra kick.

And listen, we definitely aren’t complaining, but AOP didn’t get the memo that all the kids were going to come in and get the *coolest* eyes ever while school’s out!! Thanks for keeping us on our toes and forever inspired! ❤️🤩

Have to share these beauties Bridget painted!
The first is from a patient on Friday. The second is a patient who came in for a polish today, painted 2 years ago. The picture doesn’t do that light blue justice. 😮‍💨😍

Happy Monday, friends 😊

Just dropping in to send a huge thank you out to all of the patients and families who came to our very first patient picnic. We hope you all had as much fun as we did! It was so lovely to see all of your faces 😊❤️
If you were unable to attend this picnic, no worries! We’re already thinking of next year. Be on the lookout for the date for next year’s picnic online and in our yearly news letter.

And for our parents, the date for the next pediatric meet up is October 14th. Mark your calendars! More info to come 😊

We're just days away from our first ever Patient Picnic!

We will be meeting at Settlers Cabin Park— Apache Pavilion— on Saturday, June 17th from noon to 3pm. Food and drinks will be provided by AOP.
Be sure to RSVP so we know you’re coming!

Some info per the park website:
"Apache shelter is the second grove on the right on Teepee Road. Apache is an ADA accessible shelter with a water pump, ADA accessible restroom, and small parking lot. Apache shelter also has an open, grassy area surrounding the shelter, a playset and slide!”

We hope to see you there!! 😊☀️

We’re about a month out from our first ever Patient Picnic!
Much like our pediatric support group, this is a time where our patients can get together and talk about their experiences. More than that, we feel it would be a great opportunity for parents/kids to interact with our adult patients. Build a sense of community!

The picnic will be held at Settlers Cabin Park— Apache Pavilion— on Saturday, June 17th from noon to 3pm. Food, drinks, and entertainment will be provided by AOP.

Some info per the park website:
“Apache shelter is the second grove on the right on Teepee Road. Apache is an ADA accessible shelter with a water pump, ADA accessible restroom, and small parking lot. Apache shelter also has an open, grassy area surrounding the shelter, a playset and slide.”

We hope to see you there!! 😊☀️👁️

Hey there, friends!

Take a look at this scleral cover shell that Bridget made for a child patient of hers.
This is kiddo in particular is a on a wearing schedule— that means that they wear their prosthesis for a limited amount of time each day due to irritation. They aren’t quite able to wear the prosthesis long term so replacing the scleral color plastic (normally white) with clear plastic allows the child’s parents to notice when the eye is irritated and remove the prosthesis. Pretty neat!!

How’s about an eyeball roundup to start off the week?
Some of these beauties were made recently, others we simply got to see again during last month’s polish promo week.

Speaking of polish promos, we have another one coming up April 11th-15th.
Will we see you there? 👀🧼👁️🫧

Over the last few weeks we’ve had a couple of patients whose prostheses had bacterial invasion.

Put simply, bacterial invasion is what happens when the human body attacks this “foreign object” (the prosthetic eye) over time. Eventually the body breaks down the plastic and bacteria begins to grow within the plastic— causing these yellow and brown spots.
In most cases, we’ve seen bacterial invasion happen in prostheses that are fairly older than we recommend. Though, with the first eye shown, the patient was also using Neosporin on their prosthesis daily, which we believe may have aided in this process. There’s no way of knowing for sure.
Situations like this are why we recommend our patients get a new prosthesis every 5-7 years. Not only to update the shape and color of the prosthesis, but also for the new plastic. If left alone for too long bacterial invasion can cause excess discharge and tearing, irritation, and even infections.

Hey there friends!

It’s time again for our family/pediatric support group!
Back in October, AOP hosted a support group for all of our pediatric patients and their families— and we had an absolute blast! We loved being able to create a space where parents and kids could spend time with one another, so we’re doing it again!

This group will be held on March 25th from 10am to 12pm in the office.
Food and drinks will be provided.

Like before, Bridget, Lynn, and Emily will also be around to chat and help answer any questions.
Don't forget to RSVP! We hope to see you there 😊👁️

Wishing you all a safe and healthy holiday season! XOXO

November Eye Round-Up! 🐎🤠

These aren’t all the prostheses we made last month, but they’re definitely some of the prettiest. We love an eye with some texture!

Our first pediatric support group was a success 😊
It was so lovely to see everyone. We’re so happy to create a space where the kids can interact and parents can share their experiences/tips. It’s everything we ever wanted!
If you missed out this time, no worries, there will be another meeting in the spring. Until then, enjoy our spooky decor! 🎃🕷️
(The friends in the 4th slide are Andy and Eyerene 👁️)

Hello All!
Have you marked your calendars? This is your friendly reminder that AOP will be hosting a support group for all of our pediatric patients and their families!
The group will be held on October 15th from 10am to 12pm in the office. Food and drinks will be provided. Bridget, Lynn, and Emily will also be around to chat and help answer any questions.
Don’t forget to RSVP! We hope to see you there ☺️

TG👁F!!
We made these two beauties in the office today. Gorgeous colors, freckles, and all that texture??
Today was a great eye day. 😊

We’re very pleased to unveil our AOP Children’s Gallery. All of these works of art were made by our child patients while they awaited their new prosthesis. No doubt some future ocularists in the bunch, don’t you agree? ☺️

While we’re on the topic of kiddos, we’d like to announce the first meeting of our *new* pediatric support group! For all of the parents of our child patients to come together, share information and experiences, and find, well, support!
Our first meeting will be held in our office on October 15th from 10am to 12pm. Save the date, spread the word, more information to come! 👁

Baby blue. This is what an artificial eye looks like before the clear acrylic is cured on top forming the ‘cornea’ and sealing in the painting. www.aopeyes.com

A brief snapshot of painting an artificial eye. First photo is the button, which determines the iris and pupil size and location. It is painted in reverse. Second photo is the button in the prosthesis, prior to the second painting. Third photo is after the second painting where the iris color is perfected, the sclera is tinted, and veins added. This photo is prior to adding clear plastic over the entire front surface of the prosthesis. www.aopeyes.com

Beautiful color 👁 www.aopeyes.com

I do love a chunky iris color 👁 Had a great time making this today. Happy weekend everyone! www.aopeyes.com