Ocularist

Ocularist!? Just what is an ocularist exactly? Well, if we break down the word, ocular means visual or optical so we know it has something to do with your eyes right? Yes, an ocularist is someone who creates, fits, shapes and paints prosthetic eyes. They may paint “stock” eyes (mass produced) or “custom” eyes which are made specific to an individual. I guess you can say they are artists, a very specific type of artist whose work adds a sparkle to the eye of the beholder.

A little factoid: It is difficult to trace the inventor of the artificial eye but in my research there has been evidence to shows that as early as 5th century BC, Roman and Egyptian priests would be fitted with a painted clay eye attached to a cloth and worn outside the socket. Since then much has changed and now many prosthetic eyes are difficult to tell apart from their real counterpart.

So how does one become trained for such a profession? From my investigation I have noted that training and registration to become an ocularist varies by state but most gain experience through apprenticeships approved by the American Society of Ocularists or Anaplastologists. You can become a Board Certified Ocularist through the National Examining Board of Ocularists. This agency was formed in 1980 to help provide a uniform standard in the field of ophthalmic prosthetics. They are an independent entity that awards the Board Certified Ocularist title for those who complete the written and practical exam. Ocularists work in ocular prosthetics labs and often in conjunction with other ocular professionals while others make a name for themselves and open their own custom ocular prosthetic business.

They say that the eyes are a window to the soul so to be able to create such a seamless replacement for someone who has lost this most precious gift is truly a gift in and of itself.