The Venetians invent the first proshesis to be worn behind the eyelids. These original prostheses were very thin shells that were sharp and uncomfortable. Usually wearers would remove their prosthesis at night to get relief from discomfort and to avoid the possibility of breakage.
1880
Dutch eye surgeon Hermann Snellen developed the "Reform" eye. The "Reform" prosthesis was a hollow, thicker prosthesis with rounded edges.
1884
Marked the first time that a glass sphere was implanted in the scleral cavity shortly after evisceration.
1941
U.S. Ocularists were forced to find an alternate material to make artificial eyes with because of the war against Germany.
1943
The U.S. Army dental tech-nicians made the first ever plastic artificial eye.
1970
Most ocularists began taking impressions to make better fitting eyes for their patients.
1971
The A.S.O. began to certify ocularists.
1957
The American Society of Ocularist was founded (A.S.O.)
1980
The A.S.O. was accepted into the American Academy of Ophthalmology (A.A.O.). Also the National Commission of Health Certifying Agencies began an independent testing organization for ocularists and named it the National Examining Board of Ocularists (NEBO).
