No, glass eyes are not round like marbles; they are typically a hollow half-sphere or shell shape.
A modern artificial eye, often referred to as a "glass eye" even though many are now made of acrylic, is designed to fit comfortably within the eye socket. Here's a breakdown:
-
Shape: Instead of being a complete sphere, a glass eye is shaped like a thin, curved shell or a half-sphere. This allows it to fit over the existing eye (if present) or a surgically implanted ball.
-
Purpose: The primary function is cosmetic, restoring a natural appearance after eye loss or damage.
-
Construction: The artificial eye is crafted to mimic the appearance of a natural eye, including the iris, pupil, and blood vessels.
-
Fitting: The artificial eye is fitted either over a damaged/non-functioning eye or over an orbital implant. An orbital implant is a ball that has been surgically implanted into the eye socket and attached to the eye muscles.
Therefore, while the visible portion of a glass eye has a rounded appearance, the entire prosthetic is not a complete sphere. It's carefully designed to provide a natural look and comfortable fit.