Patients who are missing an eye may soon be able to wear a more realistic- looking prosthesis.

Dr. Martin Klein and his colleagues from Humboldt University in Berlin, Germany, have developed and successfully tested a silicone prosthesis that includes a life-like artificial eyelid. The lid opens and closes simultaneously with the healthy eyelid so that the patient presents a near-normal appearance.

Electrical implants are used to anchor the prosthesis to the tissue. The prosthetic eyelid, which is a specially designed latex elastic membrane, is electronically synchronized with the muscle movements in the patient’s healthy eyelid. Dr. Klein notes that the more normal appearance will help patients with facial defects cope better and suffer less psychological distress.